Absolutely heart breaking!

Rating: 10/10 (19 June 2004)

This film is based on the true life story of highway prostitute turned serial-killer, Aileen Wuornos. Charlize Theron playes Wuornos, one of life's damaged people, she is jaded about life, down to her last $5 and suicidal when she meets Selby (Christina Ricci). After a rough start the two connect. Wuornos continues 'hooking' and is servilely raped by one of her Johns. She shoots him in self-defence. Aileen then begs Selby to move in with her and when Aileen is unable to find legitimate work she is forced to go back to working as a prostitute. Aileen soon makes a habit of shooting her costumers. Charlize Theron gives a totally convincing performance which is transcendently great, genuine and entirely astonishing. Her transformation from super beautiful to super ugly is amazing. It is not just a matter of make-up but a totally psychological embodiment. She truly gets into the psyche of Wuornos (she defiantly deserved her Oscar!) Charlize's performance is one that will be talked about for many years to come and it's done with an incredible amount of understanding of Wuornos' sentiment. Not for a second did Theron lose focus of Wuornos. It's a gut wrenching performance that is easily the unsurpassed. Theron finally has received the role that proves herself as a wonderful actress. To me this film was absolutely heart breaking. The authentic writing combined with Charlize's tour de force performance is totally compelling. The tragic ending will stay with you hours after the credits have rolled. 10/10