A brilliant piece of cinema with a brilliant performance by Charlize Theron!

Rating: Null/10 (13 August 2004)

I'm sure the list of comments will be split between those who loved the movie and those who felt it was over-hyped and not that special. Well, if you take it from me, the film deserved all the hype it received! Theron's performance really is magnificent! Of course, the heavy makeup does part of the job of making the audience forget we're watching Charlize on screen, but her performance also contributes greatly to that illusion. I really did feel for her torment and struggle every minute of the film. Whenever you do a movie that focuses on a serial killer, there's always audiences who complain that the director is trying to condone heinous acts of violence. "Monster" is not about condoning the murder of men, but about telling Aileen Wurnoes's real story. I don't recall hearing about the actual Wurnoes case on the news, but I'm sure the media didn't paint her to be anything more than a cruel, evil person. This movie shows that although her acts or murder shouldn't be encouraged, there was a method to her madness. Virtually none of the guys she killed were saints. Many were sleazy guys willing to cough up cash to have sex with, and possibly abuse, a prostitute--unbeknownst to their poor wives and kids. There's even a touching scene where Theron gets into a car with an obese man (played by Pruitt-Taylor Vince), and spares his life because he's simply an innocent young man who's never had sex with a woman. Christina Ricci also gives a fine performance, though it doesn't measure up to Theron's. And veteran actor Bruce Dern does a fine job in the supporting role of the one guy willing to help Aileen in times of need. "Monster" is a powerful film all-around, and never once was there a dull moment. It's movies like this that prove that millions of bucks are really not required to make a great film. As a matter of fact, sometimes money can ruin a film. This is one of the best films I've seen in quite a while, and it truly takes advantage of the masterful medium of cinema. I'm sure many will check this out simply to see Charlize's groundbreaking transformation from beautiful actress to a grotesque Florida prostitute, but that's not the only reason to check it out. Plus, the movie contains the great 80's song, "Don't Stop Believin'." The use of that song alone gets my vote. (9 out of 10)