Heathers

Heathers is a 1988 American black comedy film, directed by Michael Lehmann, starring Winona Ryder, Christian Slater and Shannen Doherty.

The film was released in the United States on March 31, 1989 by New World Pictures.

Plot
The film is about a teenage girl, Veronica Sawyer (Winona Ryder) who wants to get out of a clique of popular girls called the Heathers. After meeting the new guy in school, J.D. (Christian Slater), some of the popular students end up dead from assumed suicides.

Cast

 * Winona Ryder as Veronica Sawyer
 * Christian Slater as Jason "J.D." Dean
 * Shannen Doherty as Heather Duke
 * Lisanne Falk as Heather McNamara
 * Kim Walker as Heather Chandler
 * Penelope Milford as Pauline Fleming
 * Glenn Shadix as Father Ripper
 * Lance Fenton as Kurt Kelly
 * Patrick Labyorteaux as Ram Sweeney
 * Carrie Lynn as Martha "Dumptruck" Dunnstock
 * Jeremy Applegate as Peter Dawson
 * Jon Matthews as Rodney
 * Phill Lewis as Dennis
 * Renée Estevez as Betty Finn
 * Jennifer Rhodes as Mrs. Sawyer
 * Bill Cort as Mr. Sawyer
 * Kirk Scott as Big Bud Dean
 * Mark Carlton as Mr. Kelly
 * John Ingle as Principal Gowan

Production
Daniel Waters wanted his screenplay to go to director Stanley Kubrick, not only out of profound admiration for Kubrick but also from a perception that "Kubrick was the only person that could get away with a three-hour film."

After a number of failed attempts to get the script to Kubrick, it made Waters realize the futility of the enterprise, he decided to give the script to Michael Lehmann, who then took it on with Denise Di Novi.

Various actors and actresses turned down the project because of its dark subject matter.

The early choices for Veronica and J.D. were Jennifer Connelly, who turned down the role and Brad Pitt, who auditioned for the role of J.D., but the filmmakers rejected him because they thought he came across as "too nice."

Justine Bateman was also considered for the lead role and Drew Barrymore auditioned for the movie.

Then-sixteen-year-old Winona Ryder, who badly wanted the part, begged Waters to cast her. Eventually, she was given the role with Christian Slater being signed shortly thereafter.

Then-seventeen year-old Heather Graham was offered the part of Heather Chandler, but she turned it down.

Kim Walker (who was dating Christian Slater at the time) was offered the role instead. Graham was then cast as Heather McNamara, but her mother wouldn't allow her to accept the role, so Lisanne Falk was given the role instead.

The film's principal photography took place over 32 days from July 5th to August 17, 1988. It was primarily filmed in California.

Although the film takes place in Ohio, the high school scenes were filmed at Verdugo Hills High School and the Osaka Sangyo University of Los Angeles in Los Angeles.

Other locations were filmed in Santa Monica, Laurel Canyon in the Hollywood Hills, Pasadena, the San Fernando Valley and Tujunga.

Accolades
1990 Chicago Film Critics Association Awards
 * Best Actress: Winona Ryder (nominated)
 * Most Promising Actor: Christian Slater (nominated)
 * Most Promising Actress: Winona Ryder (nominated)

1989 Deauville Film Festival
 * Critics Award: Michael Lehmann (nominated)

1990 Edgar Allan Poe Awards
 * Best Motion Picture: Daniel Waters (won)

1990 Independent Spirit Awards
 * Best First Feature: Michael Lehmann (director) and Denise Di Novi (producer) (nominated)
 * Best Female Lead: Winona Ryder (nominated)
 * Best Screenplay: Daniel Waters (nominated)

1989 Sundance Film Festival
 * Grand Jury Prize- Dramatic: Michael Lehmann (nominated)

1989 Torino International Festival of Young Cinema
 * International Feature Film Competition; Special Mention (for acting; festival title: "Lethal Attraction): Winona Ryder (won)