Progressive relationships and theatricality figure in this contemporary character study set in Manhattan wherein four main characters that are at or approaching some "height", either professional or personal, interact in ways that threaten their dreams and ambitions.
Diana (Glenn Close) is a lover of Shakespeare who teaches theatre to students. Her daughter Isabel (Elizabeth Banks) is a photographer. Isabel is engaged to Jonathan (James Marsden) who has some well-kept secrets. A struggling young actor named Alec (Jesse Bradford) auditions for Diana; she learns that he lives in the same building as Isabel and Jonathan. Diana invites him to a party. Unplanned circumstances and the interrelationships of the various characters conspire to render assumptions not valid, which in turn forces everyone to alter their perceptions about themselves and others.
In lesser hands, this material could easily descend into melodramatic soap opera. But here, the technical execution is sufficiently high quality to avoid that pit.
The film's lighting and music create a mod, artistic look and feel. The film starts off in a lighthearted mood; the second half is darker, more somber.
There are some good photographic shots of Manhattan, both exterior (the Woolworth Building, for example), and interiors (the Cherry Lane Theater and offices of Vanity Fair). Some scenes take place on building rooftops, a visual reference to the story's internal theme.
You won't find anything especially new or original, insofar as concept or story. It's the quality of execution in writing, direction, acting, editing, cinematography, costumes, and production design that renders "Heights" a credible film, one that is easy to like and worth the time to watch.
