amazing film

Rating: 10/10 (24 June 2009)

I just finished watching this film with director's commentary and Theron's commentary. I saw it at the cinema on it's release and once in between then and now, and I just don't know where to begin....
This film got a lot of attention because of Theron's performance, and it is possibly one of the most richly deserved Oscars in Oscar history (along with Meryl Streep in Sophie's choice and Robert De Niro in Raging Bull), but it should not be viewed as a stage for her performance alone, it is a film of astonishing power, I don't believe I have ever felt so drained after watching a film. The story of this woman's incredibly unfortunate life unfolds with more compassion than perhaps some would think she deserves, and question marks must remain over how much artistic license was taken in making it (the director herself says that Wuornos was a great animal lover but to include that in the film would have been a logistical nightmare), but as this film washes over you all is forgiven.
Theron's performance is nothing short of extraordinary, she uses her entire body to convey emotions in ways I have never seen, she asked the director to move a prop so she could lean on it (you'll know when, people comment on the scene). Roger Ebert said 'This is one of the greatest performances in the history of cinema' and he is right. Theron seems to have transcended every other method ever known to actors and created a technique not ever seen before, you will have to see it to believe.
And I repeat myself, for which I apologize, but this should not be seen just for Theron's performance, this is a film of incredible emotional power, Christina Ricci should not go unmentioned for her performance, although against Theron's it must surely be overshadowed.
I have seen both documentaries on the subject of Aileen Wuornos, and this film captures her anger at what life threw at her, her confusion at why she had to do the things she felt she had to do, her complexities, her rage, her agonizing hope.........
If you have not availed yourself of this wonderful film, I urge you to see it, you will not be sorry, it is a true masterpiece.