chilling but well done

Rating: Null/10 (27 November 2004)

Throughout this movie there are brief glimpses where you feel pity for the main character, but when the movie is over you're overwhelmed with disgust and left with no doubt that Aileen is the monster that she has been made out to be. I don't think this movie tried to make you feel that Aileen didn't deserve to be punished for her crimes. But you do wonder what it says about our society that we allow people to be changed into such monsters. You may walk away wondering if she choose this path, or if the path was chosen for her, but in the end there is no doubt she made choices that led to her ultimate demise. Charlize Theron definitely deserved the Oscar she received for this role. I never doubted her character portrayal for a second. Christina Ricci also did an excellent job.