Powerful

Rating: 10/10 (18 February 2004)

Monster can only be described as a powerful piece of cinema.
It follows the life of one troubled woman, Aileen `Lee' Wuornos (played by Charlize Theron), the real life serial killer who made headlines in the 1980's. The movie shows you the last years of freedom she endured, following her relationship with Selby (Christina Ricci), a young lesbian who was in desperate need of a friend. The movie is told by the point of view of Aileen, which allows you to sympathize with the killer.
The performance delivered by Charlize Theron was so believable, you forgot that behind this ugly sun-spotted face there is a beautiful, talented woman who had the guts to pull this role off. Theron proved what a good actress she was by transforming herself, mentally and physically into the role. Her performance was Oscar worthy, and if she does not win, then like Roger Ebert said "the Academy needs to retire".
Christina Ricci tends to get pushed on the back burner because Theron's performance was so mesmerizing. However, Ricci cannot be forgotten. Her performance was also quite wonderful, and I have no doubt that she played the character exactly as written. Naive, and selfish can only describe the character of Selby. However, her love for Lee was real and that's all that mattered to both women.
The movie begins with Lee telling a short summary of the fantasies that went through her head as a young child. She dreamed of being famous, rich, and successful. Like any other child. But instead, she became a prostitute at age 13, after her father committed suicide (which she explains later in the film). By now, we understand where her hardships started, and why she turned to the streets.
Monster is a disturbing and depressing look into the life of an abused person. The character of Aileen represents non-sociopath killers around the world. It shows you how a human being, who does not kill for `pleasure' can spiral out of control and snap; destroying his or her life, and the lives of many others.
The movie focuses more on the relationship of Lee and Selby, rather than the killings. The characters are portrayed as real people caught up in the drama of life; something we can all relate to. By the end of the movie, you may find yourself in tears after seeing Selby and Aileen's relationship waste away.
Monster puts a personality to Aileen Wuornos and allows the viewers to step inside her world. It does not make excuses for her, nor does it view Wuornos as a victim who killed because she `had to' (with the exception of the first killing). Rather, it helps you understand her state of mind when the killings occurred, why she felt she had to, and why she went through with it.
There have been many complaints that Monster is not `factual'. Well, my argument to that is `who cares'? It was still a well made, well acted, well written, intense drama with emotion filled to the brim. What more could a person ask for?
This movie is one of my favorite movies of all time. If I could give it a rating higher than 10/10, I would.