This Blew Me Away

Rating: Null/10 (24 February 2004)

If ever there was an example of how society can miserably and devastatingly fail a person, Aileen Wuornos is it. Raped by age 8, pregnant by 13, hooking by 13, and eventually becoming the first noted female serial killer, her life was one nightmare after another. Of course, this in no way excuses her actions; she deserved the punishment she was given for the 7 slayings, but it makes you wonder...what if someone had intervened way back when? What if someone had given her a chance when she tried to go straight? Would so many have died? We may never know, but what is for sure is that Charlize Theron's portrayl of Wuornos in "Monster" is so chilling, so dead-on (pardon the pun,) and so shockingly believeable that when it was all over, I had tears in my eyes. I saw the film yesterday, and it's still resinating with me. I went home and popped in my Journey CD and listened to "Don't Stop Believin'," absorbing it all again. It's not just that she put on 30 pounds, fake teeth, and some special make-up. She WAS Aileen, down to her foul mouth and body language. I saw no hint of the glamourous Charlize I've come to know and like over the years. This was not just great acting...this was a total transformation. She pretty much blows Christina Ricci (Selby, her lesbian lover) off the screen most of the time. Wuornos is damaged by life, full of hatred and rage, but still capable (although barely) of love, however warped it may be. Theron brings humanity to the 'monster' as well, and although there is no excuse for her actions, Theron makes us feel slight compassion for her at times. This is no small feat, and Theron is absolutely brilliant. She got the Golden Globe and SAG Award for Best Actress for "Monster;" come Oscar night, if her name is not announced as the winner for Best Actress, then THAT will be a crime in and of itself.