well-crafted story aided by fine acting

Rating: Null/10 (19 July 2004)

Charlize Theron's tour de force performance highlights this gripping true story of Aileen Wuornos, a hardened street hooker who became an infamous serial killer during the late 1980s and early 90s by murdering her clients along the Florida highway, though most of the emphasis is placed on the relationship between Wuornos and her naive young lover Selby Wall (Ricci). Extremely dark, often tragic, at times unbearable story explores the violent and graphic depths of a life gone wrong, but it's well told and acted with conviction. Theron—rendered unrecognizable by heavy makeup—is stunning in the lead, and Ricci hits just the right note as her impressionable companion. Hats off to director Jenkins who makes her characters interesting and believable. ***