Theron gives an Oscar calibre performance; she's perfect

Rating: Null/10 (29 December 2003)

MONSTER (2003) ***1/2 Charlize Theron, Christina Ricci, Bruce Dern, Scott Wilson, Lee Tergesen, Pruitt Taylor Vince. Theron gives the performance of her career in her heartbreakingly horrific Oscar caliber performance as real-life killer Aileen Wuornos whose troubled love-free existence ended up in a quasi Bonnie & Clyde like affair with a young gay woman (Ricci also noteworthy good) that only enhances her sad, tragic downward spiral into hell.
Empowered by a strong willed turn and some truly impressive make-up by Toni G. Theron immerses herself whole-heartedly and transfixes the viewer in a death-embrace. Written and directed by novice filmmaker Patty Jenkins the film offers few answers than questions yet manages to show the seemingly multiple personalities of Wuornos simplified in a brutal, coolly approached manner.