Superb, gripping performance by Charlize Theron keeps this story well afloat

Rating: 10/10 (3 June 2004)

"Monster" is a great film almost entirely carried by its lead actress, Charlize Theron, who delivers one of the most superb, convincing, honest performances in the history of cinema. I have seen Theron in other films, and acknowledge that in reality, she is even a rare beauty. Yet seeing this film, I did not imagine for one second that she was anything else but this fascinating, unique character. Theron manages to captivate us with this seemingly contemptible, hideous "monster" (as the title suggests) and take us into Wuornos' world of frustration, confusion, delirium, and desparation. We learn that Aileen Wuornos was not born an infamous, heartless serial killer, but that she once had other aspirations in life, sabotaged by a very unfortunate series of events, particularly in her childhood. Through Theron's compelling deliverance, we discover the painful misery, as well as shades of happiness and hope, in this tortured woman, so afflicted from life and never really given a chance to succeed as anything else than a "nobody" prostitute on the brink of collapse. Wuornos, without seeking, befriends Selby, with whom she will develop a relationship which will be the culmination and happiness of her life. We realize that Wuornos' horrible crimes can never be reasoned or excused, for they are truly monstrous. This film, however, essentially through the understanding conviction of Charlize Theron, provides us with perhaps an explanation of how Aileen Wuornos came to despise the world and commit a series of perfunctory and brutal murders which would ultimately be her demise. Or perhaps the demise of Wuornos was life itself, which never gave Wuornos a rightful place in the world. Compelling and devastating film. **** out of ****