In my bathroom and looking my best, having just applied tons of slap!
In my bathroom and looking my best, having just applied tons of slap!
Member since:17.03.2003
Reviews:13
Many people will have scoffed at Charlize Theron at the recent Oscars for throwing what is now known as a ‘Gwynnie.’ Named after Gwyneth Paltrow’s embarrassing, tearful acceptance speech for ‘Shakespeare in Love’ where she thanked everyone from her mother to her best friend’s dog, the term is now commonplace for actors accepting their awards that overrun their timeslot. Charlize Theron’s emotional speech at the Oscars was classed in a similar way, so much so that the editors had to cut half of it for the televised event. But I can safely say that it was justified. After a complete lack of interest from the film studios and involvement with the production, after pouring her own money into it just to pay for the posters, Ms. Theron and director Patty Jenkins have truly come into their own. The film is based on a true story, that of the life of Aileen Wuornos (Theron,) a serial killer who was caught and convicted for the murder of six men. She was eventually executed in 2002 on Death Row.
There was a fair amount of controversy after the film was released in America from the relatives of Wuornos’ victims, saying that the film was too sympathetic a portrayal of the serial killer. And it is easy to see how these views are justified. Jenkins makes a point of giving Wuornos motivation for the killings; the film focuses a great deal on the killer’s tormented past; abused as a child, cast out from her family at the age of thirteen and generally lacking love and companionship her entire life. Theron’s psychological and physical acuity to the role is revelatory and extremely disturbing; the film shows not only the factual events that occurred leading up to Wuornos’ arrest, but even goes so far as to film the same places where the original murders occurred. However, Monster also portrays a poignant and tender love story that develops between two misguided and disturbed young women. It begins with Wuornos, a prostitute on the brink of suicide, until she befriends a girl named Selby Wall (Christina Ricci.) The two women quickly enter into a passionate relationship, until things go amiss and Wuornos is raped by one of her clients - (not a scene for the faint-hearted.) Eventually, events spin out of control and Theron develops her character powerfully, as the audience sees Wuornos grow slowly more aggressive and violent, and the finally her transformation from an abused young woman into a vengeful killer.
Yet Monster is a film that has been beautifully paced, so that there are moments of joy and humour as well as sheer horror at the fate of all the victims, including Wuornos herself. When the protagonist is eventually convicted, the sheer bleakness and isolation that the central characters display is conveyed to the audience; in a final act of love for Selby, Aileen Wuornos gives herself up to the police, denying her lover’s partaking in any of the crimes committed. Ricci plays this understated role exceptionally well, while allowing the focus to remain on Theron, and although her character has many immature and shallow qualities, Ricci still allows the audience to respond positively to this unlikely pair; Wuornos fair and foul-mouthed and Ricci child-like and needy. The only other character that is explored with any kind of depth is the kindly caretaker, played by Bruce Dern, who tries to warn Wuornos prior to her arrest of the police present. Yet the central characters provide more than enough focus for the audience over the duration of 109 minutes. This is a beautiful yet graphic film, a more than adequate offering from first-time director Patty Jenkins.
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Production Year: 1997 - Drama - Director: Ronan O'Leary - Original Language: English - Classification: 18 years and over - Starring: James Spader, Anne Brochet, Barry McGovern, Anna Massey
Production Year: 2004 - Drama - Director: Nick Cassavetes - Original Language: English - Classification: 15 years and over, 12 years and over - Starring: Rachel McAdams, Ryan Gosling, Gena Rowlands
I read stuff on Aileen Wuornos here and there over the past few years, and her story seems quite a sad one, though it wasn't enough to make me want to see the film, however, after reading your review on Monster, I actually really want to go and see it now! nice op. D. x
kirstymack80 15.04.2004 11:27
Well done on that! I read a book about Wuernos a few years ago so would very much like to see the film. KirstyM
![Monster [2003] [DVD]](http://picnica.ciao.com/uk/78491272.jpg "Monster [2003] [DVD]")
Apr 14th, 2004
exceptional by (7%):
very helpful by (93%):
