really fanatical film buff have long consider jennifer jason leigh performance in heart of midnight deserving of 1989 best actress oscar . she be at least as good a runner up isabelle adjani ( camille chaudel ) and clearly superior to winner jessica tandy ( drive miss daisy ) . while ironic that leigh best performance be in her least see film and it be understandable consider the subject matter and almost expressionistic style of heart of midnight and which need at least two viewing to be properly appreciate . the film and which be well direct than it be write and should be see simply for leigh performance but be also a stylish little horror film with a few genuinely scary moment . leigh play carol river and the story ( which include a number of flashback ) be tell from her point of view . carol seem to have an innate distaste for physical contact and a history of psychological problem of unknown origin . it be slowly reveal in the film that she be abuse a a child . leigh research the role extensively and speak with woman who have be abuse a child and expert in the field . heart of midnight and an odd mix of repulsion and the tenant and exotica and and the story of adele h while be about carol descent into madness . it be probably inspire by the two polanski film while and catherine deneuve repulsion character be also name carol . the twist be that this time it be actually a voluntary descent into insanity . for most of the film carol grapple with why she do not like herself . once she discover the reason for this and madness becomes preferable to exist with that knowledge . although carol conduct throughout the film seem bizarre and once you understand her background everything be logical . but it be only predictable in retrospect so many viewer will find the film uncomfortable viewing . carol be often force to retreat but admirably force herself to confront her fear . leigh have a real gift for communicate the depth of her character fear and pain . then again and what do i know . i be only a child .