Great argument for the death penalty

Rating: Null/10 (23 January 2004)

"Monster" is the dramatized story of real-life serial killer Aileen Wuornos, who was executed in Florida for her crimes in 2002 after spending 12 years on death row. The film does not "pre-quel" her killing spree or spend any time whatsoever on her prison time. It tells only the story of her killing and relationship with her lesbian girlfriend Selby.
I really didn't know how to react to this story. It seemed to play both sides of the fence in its perspective toward Aileen, sometimes sympathetic sometimes horrified. What I can say for sure is that there will be a great deal of hyperbole in the entertainment media that will praise the appearance of Charlize Theron in her resemblance to the real Aileen; it is eerily on the money. The thematic elements of the story itself have been told before in earlier films. Forbidden lovers on a real life killing rampage? Try renting "Badlands." Lost lesbians short on brains and cash looking to get away from it all and start a new life together? Try "Boys don't Cry." Whatever elements are to be realized from this story, they are unapologetically sordid and the movie wallows in them. A.W.'s victims were typically middle class 60-something white males, well dressed and driving nice cars, wearing their wedding rings for the world to see. It is obvious she is symbolically killing her abusive father, but we never get to see this man. All we hear is Aileen's version of him.
In summary I can't say this story needed to be told. True crime stories are inherently fascinating especially when it is intertwined with a large dose of sex. Do you ever drive by a bad car accident and gawk, hoping to see a dead body? Then you get my point. If there had been some concrete reason to understand and gain at least a glimmer of sympathy for this devil, I could recommend this movie. There wasn't, so I can't.