Monster
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Movie Reviews of Monster
Movie Review: Theron's performance is unforgettable
Summary: 5 Stars
There is one reason to see "Monster," and it's Charlize Theron's remarkable performance as Aileen Wuornos, the highway prostitute/serial killer who in real life was executed in 2002. For this role, Theron gained 30 pounds, shaved her eyebrows, and basically transformed herself from a glamorous Hollywood starlet into an overweight, prematurely-aged white-trash hooker. But the transformation is not purely physical. Emotionally, Theron inhabits the role of Aileen so well that I could literally feel Aileen's rage, hopelessness, sadism, and craving for affection. Watch the way she smokes a cigarette. She seems to be attacking the poor little rolled-up stick. Or the way she swaggers into a room, full of angry bravado.
Director Patty Jenkins wisely focuses on a brief period of Aileen's life. There are clues about her horrible childhood (by the age of thirteen Lee was a hooker), but the movie starts when Lee, down to her last $5, steps into a gay bar and meets a naive clingy lesbian teen named Selby (Christina Ricci). After a rough start, the two women enter a co-dependent, destructive relationship. Selby demands to be "taken care of" and when Aileen fails to find a "good" job she goes back to her old ways. One night she is brutally raped by a john, and kills him. The subsequent murders, however, seem more motivated by money, as Selby constantly demanded more money.
It's hard to feel sympathy for either Lee or Selby -- Selby is immature, manipulative, and greedy, while Lee's victims become less and less "deserving" of their fate. But Patty Jenkins and Theron and Ricci create a world of hopelessness and despair, of chain-smoking and seedy bars and cheap motels. If anything, the movie will shock the audience out of its comfortable middle-class existence. This is how the other half lives, and it's not pretty.
The film is not perfect -- it's somewhat low-budget, and I thought Jenkins added one 80's pop song too many in the soundtrack. But these are minor complaints. Overall, it's the tour-de-force performance by Charlize Theron that will stick in my memory.
Movie Review: One of the best performances of all time.
Summary: 5 Stars
Monster is one of the only movies, (if not the only) that not once did I see the lead actress. Instead for the entire film you are emmersed and witnessing a character come to life. Not just because of the intense prostetics Charlize Theron had to wear but instead the startling performance she gives. Monster is the true story of the only known woman serial killer Aileen Wuornos. Ive seen many documentaries on this woman and every one portrays her as a cold blooded killer, the movie though tells the whole story from her point of view. On the verge of suicide, Aileen meets her soul mate Selby, played by Christina Ricci in the performance of her career. You see that Aileen wasn't just a murder who did for some sick unknown reason, but that she feels she is on a mission to rid the world of all skummy men who take advantage of woman.
The most heartbreaking, and heart warming moments of the film are when Aileen decides to not prostitute herslef anymore, and go clean. You see the hope she has for a real life with the love of her life at her side. There are a number of very violent and graphic seens in this movie, which only adds to the dramatic tension.
Director Patty Jenkins, atempts a first in cinema history, by showing a serial killer as not a cold blooded murderer. Instead she surprises you by actually caring for the characters and even finding them funny at times. Imagine trying to do that with Charles Manson. Most credit though belongs to Charlize Theron, who i must admit surprised at her talent. Who knew she was capable of something like this? She gives one of the best performances of all time, and also gives true meaning to deserving the Oscar.
DVD extras include a documentary on the film, with a few shots of the real Aileen in court. It takes you through Charlize's day to day prostetic job. Also includes theatrical trailers, and a few featurettes on the music, & score of the film. This movie has touched me, & I can't imagine it not doing the same for you, so buy this brilliant motion picture.
Movie Review: Phenomenal!
Summary: 5 Stars
I watched Monster without any expectations, save knowing that it was a movie about two women. At the end of the screening, i was totally blown away. One, Charlize Theron gives a spectacular performance as 'serial killer' Aileen Wuornos. Her facial expressions and bodily movements strongly resemble that of the actual person (based on what i read). Secondly, the 'human' aspect of Aileen was brought out in the film, and despite her brutal killings, one can symphatise with aspects of her life which brought her to this point of no return when she started killing her johns. Thirdly, although Monster is primarily about Aileen the killer, yet the viewer is treated to a love story between Aileen and her lesbian lover. This is in many aspects, the driving force of the film and which makes the film memorable. Some prison psychologists had diagnosed Aileen as having Borderline personality disorder, which explains her behaviour of wanting to keep Selby Wall, her girlfriend (in real life, the girl's name is Tyria Moore) at all costs, despite the fact that Selby was at times a selfish, immature person who ultimately betrayed Aileen. The final scene of the 'confession' phone call (which basically nailed it for Aileen) is heartbreaking. Aileen basically took the fall for everything and absolved Selby of any blame. Even though the audience may sense a taste of Hollywood drama here, one must remember that in real life, Aileen did take the blame for everything, and even went to the extent of sending Tyria money while she was on death row. Perhaps this is a glimpse into a rare aspect of her life (which traditional documentaries on her never cover), which shows us that at the end of the day, she is a human being like the rest of us and despite her heinous crimes, she too longed to be loved and feel love. The betrayal scene will stick in my mind for a long time to come. I welcome emails on this film as i am interested to know more about the film as well as Aileen and her lover.Movie Review: Phenominal motion picture
Summary: 5 Stars
I watched Monster without any expectations, save knowing that it was a movie about two women. At the end of the screening, i was totally blown away. One, Charlize Theron gives a spectacular performance as 'serial killer' Aileen Wuornos. Her facial expressions and bodily movements strongly resemble that of the actual person (based on what i read). Secondly, the 'human' aspect of Aileen was brought out in the film, and despite her brutal killings, one can symphatise with aspects of her life which brought her to this point of no return when she started killing her johns. Thirdly, although Monster is primarily about Aileen the killer, yet the viewer is treated to a love story between Aileen and her lesbian lover. This is in many aspects, the driving force of the film and which makes the film memorable. Some prison psychologists had diagnosed Aileen as having Borderline personality disorder, which explains her behaviour of wanting to keep Selby Wall, her girlfriend (in real life, the girl's name is Tyria Moore) at all costs, despite the fact that Selby was at times a selfish, immature person who ultimately betrayed Aileen. The final scene of the 'confession' phone call (which basically nailed it for Aileen) is heartbreaking. Aileen basically took the fall for everything and absolved Selby of any blame. Even though the audience may sense a taste of Hollywood drama here, one must remember that in real life, Aileen did take the blame for everything, and even went to the extent of sending Tyria money while she was on death row. Perhaps this is a glimpse into a rare aspect of her life (which traditional documentaries on her never cover), which shows us that at the end of the day, she is a human being like the rest of us and despite her heinous crimes, she too longed to be loved and feel love. The betrayal scene will stick in my mind for a long time to come. I welcome emails on this film as i am interested to know more about the film as well as Aileen and her loverMovie Review: Outstanding Movie & Performance!!!
Summary: 5 Stars
What a great movie. Where do I begin. After having seen interviews with the real Aileen Wuornos in Life and Death of a Serial Killer ( a film based on personal interviews with the real "Monster" ), I realize what an Outstanding performance Charlize Theron gave. Also, heads up to the make up artists for transforming beautiful Charlize into looking strikenly like Aileen. Charlize well deserves the award she won for her performance in this true story. What a perfect pick! I have to say also that the character of Selby ( played by Christina Ricci ) was well played. As everyone must know by now, this film is a true story about America's first female serial killer. Although the movie does not go back into Aileen's ( Lee ) childhood, the viewers can sense that this woman must have had a rough life. The movie starts where she meets Selby in a bar and they soon become lovers. What Selby doesn't know is that Lee is a killer.... at least not until later in the movie. Lee spent most of her time as a highway prostitute in Florida. After being picked up and raped by a John, she murdered him and stole his vehicle. This soon became a pattern for Lee and she had to kill over and over to get both cash and a new vehicle...... for she would get rid of the other vehicles soon after she took them so she wouldn't get caught in them. After wrecking a car with eyewitnesses at the scene, a sketch of Lee and Selby were put all over the news stations and Selby began to run scared. Lee got enough money for Selby to get on a bus and leave, while Lee remained there in Florida. The police eventually caught up with her and she was apprehended at her favorite local bar. Aileen was sentenced to death for the murder of 7 men. She was executed by lethal injection. If you like true stories and don't mind violence, I strongly recommend renting and buying this movie. I've seen alot of true stories made into movies but this one has to be one of the very best ever made. Great