Monster - you've been Hollywooded!

Rating: 8/10 (30 July 2008)

What is it about Hollywood movies? They can be really, really good - like this one - and yet, by the time the credits roll, you feel unmistakably Hollywooded; identified and labelled as "target audience", and then expertly manipulated using tried-and-trusted cinematic devises. You end up feeling slightly patronised and used.
Well, Hollywood this movie definitely is, but if you are prepared to surrender to the ride, "Monster" is an extremely effective movie. You will be told what questions to ask ("Surely Serial Killers are evil people, aren't they?"), what conclusions to draw ("Gosh - you mean given the right circumstance, even I could wind up a serial killer!"). Ultimately, you will question capital punishment and despite the grisliness of it all, you will feel the warm fuzziness of real love.
What makes "Monster" exceptional however, are the performances. Theron is especially remarkable - authentic, intense and involving. We are given just enough information to piece together the character's history and understand her motivation. We are shown just enough of her crimes to challenge our condoning of them.
The violence is deeply unpleasant without being in any way gratuitous; the lesbian love story is passionate and tender without being remotely erotic.
A well manufactured film worth seeing once. You WILL explore your empathy. Resistance is futile.