Monster

2003. Dir: Patty Jenkins. Starring: Charlize Theron, Christina Ricci, Bruce Dern, Lee Tergesen and Annie Corley. ●●●○○

I think we can all agree that Charlize Theron is one of the most beautiful women on the planet, and that Aileen Wuornos the Daytone Beach prostitute - whose life story forms the basis for Monster - is not. Yet somewhere along the line it was felt best that Cahrlize take the role and gain 30lbs in order to play it correctly.

That sort of dedication to a role, or to unlikely casting, is commendable. However I am forced to ask why they did it? Sure Charlize is a good actress, and having her deglamming probably sold extra tickets and maybe without that the oscar wouldn't have been won, but surely there are some chunky blond actresses that could have equally taken the role.



I will confess it does make me slightly angry when this sort of thing happens. As a character actor myself (OK, not hugely celebrated now but there's still time) I can recognise this is the sort of role where someone previously unnoticed can breakout. Charlize was already making the big bucks, the prestige performance feels like it's be stolen from someone else.

This is not to say I wasn't moved by the performance - it is very good. The tale of a Floridean serial-killing, lesbian, street walker is fascinating and Theron hits all the rights notes of desperation, self pity and seething anger. So much so that you almost start cheering her on as she murders each of her victims, although that's a function of the screenplay more than the performance.

We see 4 murders. The first (which really is the first kill) is essentially self defence, Wournos is beaten and raped but manages to shoot her captor before he kills her, but each of the subsequent kills seem less and less rational (is he a peadophile, why is there a gun in the car, did this guy just want to offer help?). By ordering the murders in this way we are able to appreciate how Wuornos spirals out of control.

For me the stand out performance is by Cristina Ricci. The Selby character, girlfriend of Wuornos, has to be by turns infatuated, childish, self absorbed and frightened. Ricci shows her range, but also makes it clear that this is the same person, it's a totally organic performance with elements of her personality showing through in all scenes.

The production design is grungy enough and top marks for the make-up department.

Ultimately it's worth seeing this film, an interesting addition to the real life serial killer genre, without it becoming exploitation, but there are too little great elements to really recommend it.