Heights (2004)

64% of critics liked it
(101 reviews)
71% of users liked it
(5,295 ratings)

A handful of New Yorkers find their paths crossing in ways that force them to examine their lives in this contemporary drama produced by Ismail Merchant. Isabel (Elizabeth Banks) is a twentysomething photographer who is supposed to marry her boyfriend, Jonathan (James Marsden), in a month. But… More A handful of New Yorkers find their paths crossing in ways that force them to examine their lives in this contemporary drama produced by Ismail Merchant. Isabel (Elizabeth Banks) is a twentysomething photographer who is supposed to marry her boyfriend, Jonathan (James Marsden), in a month. But Isabel has found herself wondering if marriage is the right thing for her. Meanwhile, her mother, Diana (Glenn Close), a well-known film actress, has learned her husband has been seeing another woman, and while they have an open relationship, Diana finds this hurtful. Over the course of the day, Diana meets Alec (Jesse Bradford), a handsome young actor, and Isabel is introduced to Peter (John Light), a journalist, and both women begin to question their current relationships. The first feature for director Chris Terrio, Heights also stars Michael Murphy, Eric Bogosian, Thomas Lennon, and Rufus Wainwright. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

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Rating, Runtime: R, 1 hr. 36 min.
Directed By: Chris Terrio
Written By: Amy Fox, Chris Terrio
Genres: Drama

In Theaters: Jan 24, 2005 Wide
On DVD: Nov 1, 2005
Studio: Sony Pictures Classics

Critic Reviews

Kerry Lengel, Arizona Republic
If the plot is thin, at least the characters are interesting, and the performances are consistently strong.
Roger Moore, Orlando Sentinel
Amy Fox's play, with New York clichés for characters, was never going to hit, ahem, the movie heights. But cut loose in the middle of a comic-book summer, Heights is just different enough, just adult enough, to warrant a climb and a look.
Ann Hornaday, Washington Post
None of it rings true, nor do precious affectations such as having one couple communicate with each other via walkie-talkies.
Geoff Pevere, Toronto Star
Terrio may use such accelerating devices as a handheld camera and split-screen editing, but his movie still feels as inert as the piano chords in Martin Erskine and Ben Butler's score.
Jason Anderson, Globe and Mail
Sufficiently enjoyable and intelligent to erase unpleasant memories of Merchant-Ivory's last foray into Manhattan ... it lacks the energy and vibrancy of the best films to come out of the city in the past few years.
Tom Long, Detroit News
It's duly considered, absolutely serious, self-consciously modern and, unfortunately, fairly dull.
Cynthia Fuchs, Common Sense Media
Adapted play is too urbane and uncompelling.
Brian Webster, Apollo Guide
Sony Pictures Classics thankfully has provided several decent extras.
Brian Webster, Apollo Guide
An intelligent and perceptive film, neither unique nor earth-shattering, but still worthwhile.
David Noh, Film Journal International
This emotional jigsaw puzzle is cannily constructed.
Brent Simon, Now Playing Magazine
Perhaps a bit self-satisfied in the manner in which it plays its self-involved characters off of one another, but there's enough meat on the bone to make it an enjoyable time.
Staci Layne Wilson, Fantastica Daily
Though car chases and explosions are kept to a bare minimum here, I daresay you won't be bored.
James Plath, Movie Metropolis
This 24-hour slice-of-life drama doesn't follow a standard narrative structure. If it holds wisdom, it's the wisdom of small moments.

Read all 13 critic reviews

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)

Featured Audience Ratings

Dean M

Quite fine drama tale of five smart, touchy New Yorkers try to figure out the meaning of love.
Walter M

[font=Century Gothic]"Heights" takes place over a 24 hour period in October in New York City. Isabel(Elizabeth Banks) and Jonathan(James Marsden) are living in Manhattan and are engaged to be married. Isabel is a professional photographer(weddings and the such) and… More
[font=Century Gothic]"Heights" takes place over a 24 hour period in October in New York City. Isabel(Elizabeth Banks) and Jonathan(James Marsden) are living in Manhattan and are engaged to be married. Isabel is a professional photographer(weddings and the such) and I'm not sure what Jonathan does but involves something about sitting in an office all day. Isabel cannot escape the very long shadow of her very famous mother, Diana(Glenn Close). Diana is a very busy woman - she is not only rehearsing to star in a gender reversed MacBeth but is also directing an unknown off-broadway play. Thrown into this mix is an underemployed actor and an English journalist investigating the life and loves of an infamous photographer.[/font] [font=Century Gothic][/font] [font=Century Gothic]"Heights" is a drama of intersecting characters but this sort of thing only works when you have strong characters to work with. Here you don't. Isabel who is the center of attention is mostly a blank slate. The movie as a whole is totally contrived beyond belief, especially the final revelation.(Yes, Manhattan is a small place but there are too many people to be able to randomly run into each other with any kind of ease.) Glenn Close who became a better actress when she learned the meaning of the word "nuance" a few years ago again gives a very good performance. But most of the other talented actors in this cast - Isabella Rossellini, George Segal, Eric Bogosian and Michael Murphy(where have you been?) are limited to cameo appearances. It is strange for a movie that photographs New York City with such loving care, to be so derisive towards photographers. Oh, and the occasional split-screen is definitely overkill.[/font] [font=Century Gothic][/font]
Doctor S

Yet another pastiche of mostly unhappy and boring New Yorkers and how their lives change over the course of a day. Amy Fox could use a spark of creativity in her screenplay to distinguish hers from the glut of similar films. (I knew an Amy Fox in college, could she be the same? I… More
Yet another pastiche of mostly unhappy and boring New Yorkers and how their lives change over the course of a day. Amy Fox could use a spark of creativity in her screenplay to distinguish hers from the glut of similar films. (I knew an Amy Fox in college, could she be the same? I hope not ) Some good performances from Glenn Close and something of a revelation from Elizabeth Banks, but for what?
Sunil J

James Marsden is exceptionally good and Glenn Close is better than I've ever seen her. This film is beautifully written and shot.
Robert F

As a sharp dissection of contemporary relationships and sexual mores, Heights is a beautifully subtle film, one marbled with both wit and heartache.
Laurence C

Heights is the kind of movie where everyone starts sad and ends up sad. Yet another movie about relationships in the big apple, it is never dull thanks to Glenn Close's riveting performance.

Read all 6 featured audience ratings

Cast

            Glenn Close as Diana Lee

            Elizabeth Banks as Isabel Lee

            James Marsden as Jonathan

            Jesse Bradford as Alec

            Eric Bogosian as Henry

            Matthew Davis as Mark

            Andrew Howard as Ian

            Thomas Lennon
            
            John Light as Peter

            Susan Malick as Rachel

            Michael Murphy as Jesse

            Denis O'Hare as Andrew

            Isabella Rossellini as Liz

            George Segal as Rabbi Mendel

            Rufus Wainwright as Jeremy

            Daniel Neiden as Wedding Rabbi

            Jane Nichols as Guest 1

            Cindy F. Adams as Herself

            Don Fitzgerald as Built Guy

            Jan Ellis as Hospital Receptionist

            Jonathan Walker as Michael

            Manny Siverio as Subway Mugger

            Bess Wohl as Juilliard Lady Macbeth

            Joel de la Fuente as Nat De Wolf

            Michael Goldstrom as SNL writer

            Rachel Siegel as Autograph Seeker

            Caroline Clay as Subway Woman

            Angel Desai as Laura

            Liza Colon-Zayas as Ana

            Winsome Brown as SNL Writer

            Katie Kreisler as Helen

            Jordi Vilasuso as Benjamin's Exes

            Jim Parsons as Oliver

            Chandler Williams as Juilliard Macbeth

            Regina McMahon as Amanda

            Phil Tabor as Paul

            Melanie R. Orr as Scorned Woman

            Meghan Glennon as Party Girl

            Steven Glenn as Guest 2

            Alice Tan Ridley as Subway Singer

            Alexander Lange as Guest 3

            Frank Shattuck as EMT

            D'Vorah Bailey as Police Officer

            Tom Lennon
            
See full cast