Ciao having technical problems? Some things just never change!
Ciao having technical problems? Some things just never change!
Member since:08.06.2003
Reviews:310
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Usually the only films I watch are girly romances or comedies, however a few nights ago when Monster was shown on TV I found myself watching it. The film is based on the true story of Aileen Wuornos, America's first female serial killer. I knew a bit about her story before watching the movie, having seen a documentary about her a few years back.
~The Plot~
Aileen (Charlize Theron) became a prostitute at the age of 13 after a difficult upbringing. She also had a baby at this age, giving it up for adoption after its birth. She had no family around her, and really brought herself up. Although these issues were briefly touched on at the beginning of the film, where the film really starts is the day Aileen (referred to throughout the majority of the film as 'Lee') meets Selby (Christina Ricci) in a bar. Selby is a lesbian, and although Aileen isn't, her craving for affection, means that they start a relationship together. Selby is younger than Aileen and Aileen is willing to do anything to keep her happy. Selby moves out of her home to live with Aileen, much to her mothers protest.
One night while 'hooking' Aileen gets into a car with a man who drives her out to the woods, then attacks and rapes her. Aileen shoots him dead in self defence, and then takes his car, telling Selby she has borrowed it from a friend.
At this point, Aileen decides to give up on prostitution, but it isn't long before Selby becomes upset at their lack of money. Aileen tries to get other regular jobs, but no-one is interested. Although younger than Aileen, Selby is very manipulative and knows Aileen will do anything for her, so she persuades her to get back into prostitution - not knowing anything about the rape or the murder. Aileen has seen press cuttings and knows that, although the body of the first man she killed was found, the police have no leads whatsoever - she's got away with it. This makes the troubled Aileen think - now she no longer wants to have sex with these men, murdering them is an easy option, as she can then rob them to provide for herself and Selby.
~What I thought~
Obviously this is based on a true story, and anyone who followed Aileen's story in the press will know what happened, so it wasn't like the ending was a huge surprise. Aileen's love - and almost desperation for someone to like her is portrayed well in the film and it is very well acted. Charlize Theron was completely unrecognisable, having been in full prosthetic make-up, complete with false teeth for this film, and she also won an oscar for her role as Aileen. I thought the film was actually very disappointing - it was like I spent the whole thing waiting for it to really kick in. Even after the first murder, the film still doesn't seem to offer anything spectacular - I thought it was very steady and boring. I think most viewers will have a basic idea of the plot - a prostitute who becomes a serial killer, but to be honest I didn't feel that there was much more to it than that, and was quite disappointed by the film overall.
~Other Info~
Runtime: 109 minutes Certificate: 18
Please note this is a film-only review
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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
Production Year: 2000 - Drama - Director: Giuseppe Tornatore - Original Language: Italian - Classification: 15 years and over - Starring: Monica Bellucci, Giuseppe Sulfaro, Luciano Federico, Matilde Piana
Right, not a great film, but a great showcase for Charlize Theron and Christina Ricci.
eve6kicksass 04.06.2007 01:32
Nice review on what i thought was a great film; I wrote a review several years ago myself actually. I think that Charlize deserved her Oscar...which she won on Aileen Wuornos birthday! Chris x
![Monster [2003] [DVD]](http://picnica.ciao.com/uk/78491272.jpg "Monster [2003] [DVD]")
Nov 19th, 2006
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