Aileen is a prostitute with few friends. She hates her profession and hates the men that she has to rely on, but she needs the money to live. When she first meets Selby at a bar, she realises that she is a lesbian and rebuffs her. However, Aileen craves affection so much that she lets Selby into her life, and before much longer, they are living together. Aileen tries to change her ways, applying for jobs for which she has little in the way of qualifications. Unfortunately, her temper often gets the better of her and she is soon forced to return to prostitution. When she is attacked one night, she decides that enough is enough and fights back, killing her client. This is the first of many killings. Can she maintain her lust for blood and her relationship with Selby? Or will Selby give her lover up to the police?
I went to see this film in the cinema when it first came out, purely out of curiosity about the female serial killer, Aileen Wuornos. And I came out impressed, mainly because of Charlize Theron's performance. Having since seen the film twice more, I can appreciate that the film is not without its flaws, but one thing that hasn't changed
is that Theron is superb here. She looks very different from her normal svelte self. She gained weight for the role and had prosthetic teeth added, all of which change her appearance substantially. However, it is more than just make-up; it is also the way she carries herself, the expressions on her face - all this make her look like a woman who has never seen the inside of a proper bathroom and has had to fight for every scrap of food that she eats. Most importantly, I forgot that she was anyone other than Aileen Wuornos and that is no easy feat.
Christina Ricci plays Selby, and the more often I have seen her in this role, the better I think she is. Ricci is a very photogenic girl, and yet, as Selby, she manages to look downright ordinary without really changing anything about the way she looks. Her timidity and need for someone to protect her is touching, as is her struggle within herself to do what is right. I have never been that impressed with Ricci's performances before, but this one really is something special and has made me think that there is more to her than meets the eye.
The emphasis of the film is very much on Aileen and her relationship with Selby, and as such, there is a feeling that the murders that Aileen committed were very much secondary to the main story. I don't particularly have a problem with this, although I am sure that the families of the murdered men would feel that the film is a little self-indulgent. I did feel that, although the director Patty Jenkins tried hard not to be judgmental, there is a slight tilt towards showing Aileen's background and how this affected her behaviour. This is fine - I think it is very rare that life is black and white - and in any case, Aileen has now paid for her crimes, but I was left wondering about the families that the men she murdered left behind.
As often happens with true crime, there are boring parts to the story, particularly in the middle of the film - Aileen murders a john, returns home to Selby, Selby worries about their future and then it all starts again. However, this wasn't dull enough to make me think about switching off and it wasn't long before Aileen's capture is imminent and the tension begins to build up. I was slightly disappointed by the ending. When it comes, it feels hurried, as if the director just wants to finish. But as the film is nearly two hours long, it is perhaps just as well that the ending didn't last any longer than it did.
Anyone hoping for good, clean, family fun is obviously not going to watch a film about a serial killer. However, even for the not very easily shocked, there is a lot of swearing and violence going on in this film. There is one scene where a client knocks Aileen out and then uses an object to rape her. And then there is the relationship between Aileen and Selby. Although there is nothing terribly graphic, there is some kissing and fondling. If you're offended by any of this, then obviously, don't watch. And before the guys start thinking they can see some girl on girl action, I can assure you there isn't much here that will impress.
There is a soundtrack to the film, which includes the fabulous 'Don't Stop Believing' by Journey - this is the song that Aileen and Selby skate to on their first date. This is a song that I grew up with and that I felt suited the tone of the film very well.
This is a film that gives a human edge to what is a very dark story. There are times when it doesn't make pleasant viewing. However, provided that you can stomach the violence and the subject matter, I think it is a film that is worth watching, if only for the stellar performances by Charlize Theron and Christina Ricci. It is certainly a film that I will keep coming back to time after time. Recommended.
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
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