Great Touching and Dramatic True Story, With Stunning Performance of Charlize Theron and Excellent Direction

Rating: 9/10 (13 August 2004)

Aileen (Charlize Theron) is an unloved highway prostitute, who has been molested since she was a child. She has been treated like an object by the men, and has a huge need of love. One night, she meets Selby (Christina Ricci), an unsecured young lesbian woman, who treats her like a human being, in a gay bar and she falls in love with her. Aileen tries to have a straight life, with a regular job to support Selby, but the lack of a professional qualification and education send her back to the prostitution. One night, a client rapes her and she kills him in self-defense. This trauma leads her to be a serial killer. This movie is presently in the movie theaters of Rio de Janeiro, but yesterday I rented an imported DVD in an excellent Brazilian rental ('Longametragem'). The dramatic story of Aileen is very touching, and in the end I felt sorrow and sympathy for her sad and miserable life. The performance of Charlize Theron is stunning, and she really deserved the Oscar of best actress she won. Christina Ricci is also wonderful, as usual. The firm direction of Patty Jenkins is excellent. He leads the story is such a raw way without concessions, showing both sides of the personality of Aileen, but never being corny. My vote is nine.
Title (Brazil): 'Monster  Desejo Assassino' ('Monster  Killing Desire')