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MovieMail's Review
In October 2002, Aileen Wuornos, a much-abused prostitute, was executed by lethal injection for the murder of six men along the Florida highways. Less than two years later, the glamorous actress Charlize Theron tearfully clutched an Oscar for her portrayal of the damaged murderer.
At face value, this apparent exploitation of a real life tragedy seems repulsive. However, Patty Jenkins' directorial debut Monster is a complex film that refuses to demonise the killer whilst simultaneously declining to gloss over the grim horrors of her crimes.
Theron is a revelation as Wuornos – she embodies this wretched protagonist without any of the grating mannerisms that have marred other attempts by beautiful stars attempting to portray a ‘real person’. The opening scenes where Wuornos meets her lover (who would later betray her to the police) are full of pathos, as are those that hint at her horrific childhood (she was physically and sexually abused by her grandfather, she had a baby put up for adoption when she was fourteen, and her young life was peppered with violence and arrests).
When the killings start, however, provoked (it is strongly suggested) when one of her clients rapes her in the film's most harrowing sequence, Theron becomes a terrifying emblem of wrath, avenging her attack with indiscriminate violence towards the male sex. Christina Ricci also impresses as Theron's lesbian lover, an insecure but demanding youth whose selfish demands encourage Wuornos to continue her life as a hooker. Ricci's unusual performance has earned critical derision, yet she is perfect as this very awkward, nervy character.
Morally, the film's existence is dubious – before her execution, Wuornos repeatedly stated she hated the fact that people were filming her story. However, it is doubtful that she would have expected such a sensitive and moving film as Monster, which delivers an emotional intensity rarely seen in American cinema
Powerful biopic of Aileen Wuornos, the prostitute notorious for becoming one of America's first female serial killers. A barely-recognisable Charlize Theron won an Oscar for her central performance.
Charlize Theron's revelatory performance as Aileen Wuornos deservedly brought the actress a whole host of awards in 2004, including an Oscar for Best Actress in a Lead... more >
Charlize Theron's revelatory performance as Aileen Wuornos deservedly brought the actress a whole host of awards in 2004, including an Oscar for Best Actress in a Leading Role and a Golden Globe for Best Actress. Equally impressive in strong supporting roles are co-stars Christina Ricci, Bruce Dern and Pruitt Taylor Vince. This 2-disc DVD sports some tempting extras. < less
