Tragic

Rating: Null/10 (20 April 2006)

Although it has become increasingly exceptional, once in a while a movie comes around that makes you think. "Monster" certainly belongs to this category. It takes us back to basics: although we are all supposedly responsible for the content of our own lives, this generally acknowledged premise is proved to be utterly untrue. What can be expected of a person who has grown up in an environment where not even the most elementary form of loving care was present? This monster was created from early childhood on and all the ensuing dramatic events that took place in her life only contributed to reinforcing her low self-esteem and feelings of insecurity. If only this woman who was a victim of circumstance, had been as attractive as Charlize Theron is in real life, she possibly may have overcome the curse that her environment had placed on her. Aileen doesn't know who she really is, what she really wants and in a constant state of despair as to what the future will bring. She has many moments of doubt as to her own feelings, her moral dilemmas and choices in general but never gets an answer to the many questions she asks herself due to the fact that her personality structure is basically non-existent. "Maybe I should get help" she says when she is about to leave her friend although deep-down she realizes that it is much too late. Tragic, is the word that defines this movie best. Charlize Theron is exceptional: the camera is practically constantly focused in close-up on her tormented facial expression and this alone reveals the talents of an extremely gifted actress.When in the final scene Aileen turns abruptly around and stares the viewer straight in the eyes, her expression is one of total bewilderment and hatred towards a world she never fully understood.