A confused and depressing mess

Rating: 4/10 (3 June 2004)

Leaving aside for the moment Charlize Theron's amazing transformation, the experience of watching this film was unpleasant in the extreme. This was another case of a female director attempting to make a heroine out of a completely worthless individual. Creating a feminist heroine out of a vicious murderer is no mean feat and Patty Jenkins fails miserably. comparing this film to say, Bonnie and Clyde, is worthwhile. We get to see Clyde and Bonnie as the people they are, warts and all, and yet somehow get swept up in the story. The supporting roles are all ably handled and given enough flesh to make sense. Monster does nothing of the kind. The supporting roles are mere devices to move the story. The victims' personalities are paper thin. I have to search hard in memory to find a more unsatisfactory film experience. Given that I must say that Charlize Theron does an amazing job within the limitations of a hackneyed script and confused storyline.