The performance for the ages?

Rating: 10/10 (21 February 2004)

It is now 2 days since I witnessed one of filmdom's finest performances. I am still in awe of Charlize Theron's complete and total transformation into the role of Aileen "Lee" Wuaronos. It is quite simply one of the most astonishing pieces of acting that any of us mere mortals will ever witness. I cannot speak for the authenticity of this performance, but I can say that she managed to turn a character that I went into the film expecting to hate into one of the most sympathetic souls that I have ever seen. Ricci does an admirable job of playing second fiddle here. (I swear, you can almost see it in her face that she knew that Theron was turning in one of the best performances ever here.) I don't know how well the average moviegoer will appreciate this film, but for those of you who are interested in seeing one of the best realized, and most engaging, tragedies this side of Shakespeare, you are in luck. "Monster" is smart, sad and sometimes humorous. It doesn't make the mistake of attempting to make the audience agree with every decision the primary character makes. It simply asks you to think harder about them.