Outstanding acting + tight story = RARE CINEMATIC SUCCESS

Rating: 9/10 (10 June 2004)

Rarely in films can the acting be so true to life that you flat out forget you are watching a movie. Theron turns in a truly unforgettable performance in "Monster". Ricci is as convincing as Theron, but her role is certainly bolstered by Theron's. Not only is the acting good, but we actually grow to care about the tragic protagonists.
This is the best film in the past five years (probably since "American Beauty"). It is so charged with emotion that you'll probably need a drink after it's over. The story is gripping -- due in part to the acting, but also largely due to the seamless storyline.
This movie will appeal to open-minded people seeking an intensely emotional and personal movie. The drama is good and never sensationalized -- a down-to-earth, unpretentious masterpiece.
Surely a "MUST SEE" for the new millennium. 9/10