A Phenomenal Performance by Theron

Rating: Null/10 (4 February 2004)

I knew the back-story on Wuornos before I went to the theatre to see "Monster," but I had no idea what the film would be like. After seeing it, I have to say that it was simply extraordinary and that Charlize Theron's portrayal of Wuornos was as real as it gets. I never got the sense for one moment that she was "acting." She literally embodied the soul and spirit of Wuornos--evoking all the pathos, sadness, anger, and pain of the woman.
I believe that come Oscar time, Theron will take home the cherished award for this performance. And, it's not just because she gained 30 lbs. for the role, or because she allowed herself to look less beautiful than normal. It's because she looked deep into the heart of Aileen Wuornos and saw the wounded animal that she was. As a result, she was able to convey the heartbreaking truth about the woman--that she was kicked around, beaten up on emotionally and physically, and became violent as a result. She made you feel that Wuornos was a human being and that we should empathize with her. Because of the way Wuornos had lived her life, she became a killer. And, honestly, almost anyone in the same situation might do the same.
Charlize Theron performed a theatrical miracle in this part. She truly broke through all the boundaries and showed what it means to "become" a character, not just "pretend" to be one.
A lot of people have said that Theron went over the top with her strutting poses, but in the documentary footage I've seen on A&E, she was like that. She used struts and poses to hide her fears. And, I think Theron was spot-on. She researched the character thoroughly and became close friends with the only friend who stood by Aileen in the end (the woman who visited Wuornos the night before her execution). She got all her information from Wuornos' letters and from people who really knew her.
All I can say about this film and about Theron's performance is: BRAVO!!