Leofwine_draca This one-of-a-kind movie is hated by many but certainly deserves some kind of kudos for its uniqueness. I found myself being drawn into this movie; from the initial moments, where I didn't think much of it; to the growing love between Sands and Fenn, to the violent, unexpected conclusion. Jennifer Lynch tries to inject as much of her father's surrealism as possible into the film, so there's lots of symbolism and weird stuff going on. Calling this film "quirky" is an understatement.I remember this as being pretty controversial when it was first released, concerning as it does a man who kidnaps a woman, cuts off her arms and legs and puts her in a box. It's not in bad taste as you might think, although this supposed depravity certainly seems to be one of the film's main selling points (just check the video box for an example). What surprised me most about this film was the subtle message that real love isn't just about sex, but about what the person looks like on the inside instead of the out. There are certainly a number of surprises and twists as the film commences.As I mentioned before, the acting is pretty bad but bearable. The best of the bunch is Sherilyn Fenn, who turns her ice-cold bitch into a realistic, if unlikeable, character. Julian Sands (WARLOCK) overdoes it a bit with his turn as a childish, confused doctor, but to be fair it was a difficult role to play and I can't think of many modern actors capable of pulling the role off totally successfully. Elsewhere, Bill Paxton (with a ludicrous wig) is a cliché and one of my favourite bit actors, Kurtwood Smith, appears as a fellow doctor. But these characters are all unimportant, as the film focuses primarily on Fenn and Sands, and how their relationship progresses as time goes on.This is quite a slow-moving tale, well shot, and there's little in the way of action or gore as you might expect. The actual scenes of amputation are thankfully offscreen. The one thing I didn't really like about the film was the cheat ending, where the entire sequence of events turns out to have...well, couldn't they think of anything else? BOXING HELENA is a real oddity, and certainly worth a look in my opinion, despite the obvious shortcomings.

Samiam3 Boxing Helena needs a major reworking. When it wants to, the film can be quite disturbing, I will gladly admit that. Unfortunately I also found myself laughing in places where I don't think I am supposed to. This motion picture is over serious, and completely lost. It may have some use as a pretentious psychology lesson in the Oedipal complex, but it is otherwise dull and useless, not to mention vulgar.Chief Surgeon Dr. Nick Cavanagh, is obsessed with his neighbour Helena, who he had a one night stand with once upon a time. With the recent death of his mother (whom he was equally in love with) Nick is lonely and scared. He needs someone to turn to, or love. He kidnaps Helana, amputates her limbs, and keeps her in his house as almost a pet doll. How far will this go? how long can he hide?Most of the movie takes place in the glamorous mansion which Cavanagh has inherited from his family. It is a charming place, all dressed up, and full of plush. One of the strongest and most ironic images in the movie, is seeing an armless legless girl dressed up like a porcelain doll, in a high chair, and watching the good doctor suck up to her like she is his own kin. The movie actually doesn't make it clear as to whether the Dr. Cavanagh thinks of Helena as his kin or his lover. the more emotional it tries to be, the less effective Boxing Helena becomes. The sheer sloppiness of the acting, writing and direction, are constantly reminding the viewer that this is a movie. Some of the scorning is nice, but for that, just get the soundtrack.Julian Sands' performance is a huge burden on the movie. He is over-romantic and completely unconvincing. Sands delivers his lines as if he is in Romeo and Juliet. In the last two minutes, Boxing Helena recalls David Lynch epically, as it turns into a surrealist feature, and what is more annoying is that the film has literally no ending. The whole thing just becomes an exercise in stupidity. It has nowhere to go, and subsequently, has nowhere to take the audience. Boxing Helena is best left forgotten

Martin Onassis When I saw Boxing Helena, I was young but pretty jaded to motion pictures. I was in a for the shock and ride of my life. Now that I read it was directed by David Lynch's daughter, it doesn't surprise me. I wont belabor the plot or details of the movie, but I will say that as a young man who was pursuing and dating lots of women, this movie really made me think about the vulnerability of even super attractive women, and about what happens when men put no constraints on their desire to chase or own a woman. The fact that it delivered that message in a totally original and effective fashion makes it a top-shelf film in my mind.I will say that I told a few women I thought it was a great film and they were disgusted by it. Too many people took this film far too literally, even though it wasn't literal even within the plot. I actually think it assaults our construction of goddesses in the media at such a root foundation that it's actually a very insurgent, anti-establishment film. It really attacks a materialism associated with the pursuit and existence of beautiful people.It's definitely a thinker's picture. It's a perfect use of film, portraying something you don't want to see in real life to illustrate a point. It's also brilliantly shot and acted. Make up you own mind. There's no other film like it.

ramona-izabela i love this movie ,it's my favorite!although might be considered a little bit sick,it is amazing how much love can give a men to a woman,who is very hard to conquer.gradually,she convince herself that Nick Cavanaugh is the right person for her and he is gonna love her no matter what.HELENA fall in love with him but the love scene is brutally interrupted by ray s apparition.my favourite scene is the one when she screams in the terrace,the one with nick and a lady having sex and Helena watches,and the scene in which nick take care of her by putting make-up.Sherilyn Fenn is adorable with or without legs and arms and Julian Sands 's performance is great.