A Killer Performance By Theron That Explores The Motives Behind Wournos' Mindset

Rating: 10/10 (27 June 2007)

For all of the debates surrounding the prosthetic look of Charlize Theron and her physical transformation into Aileen Wournos, it is her performance and the manner of which she has carried off that performance as that character, that makes Monster such a interesting film to watch. With the direction taken by Patty Jenkins, it is not so much a film about a woman committing heinous acts, but unlike so many serial killer movies which very much rely on violence and in depicting that violence on screen to explain their evil intentions, Monster attempts to show to us that the violent nature of Wournos' erratic behaviour is partly as a result of society's failure to acknowledge and assist those who have fell through the net and were let down by the system; thus they turn to crime, such as murder. I am not saying that I condoned the actions of Aileen Wournos- apart from one who- according to her, tried to rape her-, but rather with the abuse that she had experienced as a child,they played a considerable part in her growing up as an angry, bitter woman. Her psychological and emotional damage was inflicted by those who were in her care and of whom were in the hands of those people of whom were supposed to protect Aileen.
Monster is alas, not a serial killer movie, but neither is it a lesbian one: the violence for example is not as excessive and gory in stark contrast to other so-called films of a similar nature. Having said that the rape scene in the car where Aileen is attacked and taken advantaged of was somewhat distressing to watch. It is most certainly not implying that violence is, in the context of this film, utilised as a way of empowering women over men. It is in fact a film which attempts to underline how behind the troubles and abhorrent actions lie a emotionally scarred and frustrated person, who was clearly troubled and not happy, nor satisfied with oneself. Irrespective of her gender. But also that she was often misunderstood by certain parts of society; like for instance when she goes and applies for jobs she gets turned down. Also in one scene which also took place in a car, she had killed her first john, as an act of self-defence, after he tried to rape her. Because of that incident, she is spurred on by the assumption that all men are women rapists, paedophiles etc and continues her killing spree by targeting her male victims and thus shooting them, one by one.
The role that Selby, of which her real name is Lydia and whom was Aileen's lover, plays is important because it was during the time in which those murders were carried out, that she had been in a lesbian relationship with her. Christina Ricci gave as good a performance as she did and it was interesting that it was Monster where she made her film comeback, after spending a couple of years out of the limelight.
The acting was first class, the direction was masterful and the locations looked spectacular. Theron delivers a killer and mesmerising performance as Aileen- never had I seen her in a performance of a lifetime, until I saw this film. Even without the prosthetics, I do think that she could've just about pulled it off, still. Given her not too impressive previous on- screen roles as stereotypical male eye candy and blonde bombshell figures, there was always this danger that she would be ridiculed, as well as type casted as an actress. Thankfully for her, her solid efforts in Monster, as well as North Country, put an end to all that and the persistent criticism being levelled against her.
Overall, Monster is a superb film full of raw, passionate emotion. I very much doubt that any other movie that Theron had starred in or will star in, will ever supersede and surpass her excellent rendition of Wournos. Kudos to Theron, Ricci and Jenkins though. It is one of the best films to come out of the 21st century.