Monster (2003)

User Rating:

7.4/10   

Director:

Patty Jenkins

Writer (WGA):

Patty Jenkins (written by)

Release Date:

30 January 2004 (USA)

Genre:

Biography | Crime | Drama | Romance

Tagline:

Based on a true story

Plot:

Based on the life of Aileen Wuornos, a Daytona Beach prostitute who became a serial killer.

Plot Keywords:

Killer | Prostitute | Florida | Lesbian | Female Serial Killer

Awards:

Won Oscar. Another 16 wins & 13 nominations

Cast

Charlize Theron	...	Aileen
Christina Ricci	...	Selby
Bruce Dern	...	Thomas
Lee Tergesen	...	Vincent Corey
Annie Corley	...	Donna
Pruitt Taylor Vince	...	Gene / Stuttering "John"
Marco St. John	...	Evan / Undercover "John"
Marc Macaulay	...	Will / Daddy "John"
Scott Wilson	...	Horton / Last "John"
Rus Blackwell	...	Cop
Tim Ware	...	Chuck
Stephan Jones	...	Lawyer
Brett Rice	...	Charles
Kaitlin Riley	...	Teenage Aileen
Cree Ivey	...	7-Year-Old Aileen

MPAA:

Rated R for strong violence and sexual content, and for pervasive language.

Runtime:

109 min

Country:

USA | Germany

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

DTS | Dolby Digital

Certification:

Canada:14A (Ontario) | Canada:18 (Nova Scotia) | Canada:18A (Alberta/British Columbia/Manitoba) | Japan:R-15 | Netherlands:16 (DVD rating) | Iceland:16 | Canada:16+ (Quebec) | Malaysia:18PL (DVD) | Sweden:15 | Argentina:16 | Australia:MA | Brazil:18 | Czech Republic:15 | Finland:K-15 | Germany:16 | Hong Kong:III | New Zealand:R18 | Norway:15 | Peru:14 | Portugal:M/16 | Singapore:R(A) | South Korea:18 | UK:18 | USA:R

Filming Locations:

Casselberry, Florida, USA

Company:

Media 8 Entertainment

Trivia:

Patty Jenkins wrote the screenplay in only 7 weeks, while the production itself only took 2 months to be set up.

Goofs:

Continuity: At the roller rink, when Lee and Selby are about to kiss, Selby's hands move from Lee's shoulder to her bicep several times between shots.

Quotes:

[first lines]
Aileen: I always wanted to be in the movies...

Movie Connections:

References Taxi Driver (1976)

Soundtrack:

Crimson and Clover

Gripping but incredibly depressing

Based on a true story this movie is about Ailen Wuornos, a prostitute, who killed quite a few men who she "serviced". She was convicted in 1990 and executed in 2002.

She's played by Charlize Theron who's just incredible. It starts off just before she began murdering men and has met Selby (Christina Ricci), an adorable lesbian who loves her. It basically chronicles their relationship and what led Wuornos to kill these men. Also she reaccounts her childhood and how she became a prostitute. It's more than a little depressing--it's a tragic story of a beaten woman who saw murder as the only way out. Only three murders are shown and that's more than enough. The violence is not glorified--it's bloody and sick and one is the most harrowing thing I've seen in years. What's so fascinating (and scary) about this film is that I actually began to sympathize with Wuornos! While I could never condone her actions you can see clearly what led her to it. This is a rare film--it makes a serial killer look sympathetic.

Theron is a wonder in this--she became Wuornos (who was very unattractive). She gained weight, shaved off her eyebrows, colored her hair, used contacts and dentures to change her appearance completely. Never once did I think I was seeing Theron acting--she BECAME Wuornos. A great performance--she'll easily get the Oscar for this one. Ricci is also good here. She's been ignored in the press but she nicely underplays the role of Selby and is a perfect contrast to Theron's acting. Also nice to see Bruce Dern in a small role.

Music is used very effectively here. They play songs of the time it took place (1980s) so you know when this is happening and also nicely complements the actions on screen (especially with Journey's "Don't Stop Believing").

A very good movie but a very depressing one. Proceed at your own risk.