Product: Gods and Monsters (1998)
Rating: 5.0
Absorbing, deeply affecting masterpiece
Amazing that such a great film could be made for only 3 million.Bill Condon directs with elegant simplicity, thoroughly allowing the viewer to revel in the dynamics of the story and in the development and playing out of the characterizations. This is a film which allows us to become immersed in the depth and richness of the very real human beings which inhabit this poignant, affecting story. No cheap melodramatic or pat resolutions here; everything looms unerringly real and on a believable human level. It helps of course that Condon has the actors to do it justice. Sir Ian McKellen faultlessly establishes Whale's persona; the nuances and facial expressions are revealing of a whole myriad of emotions, thoughts and feelings. He brings such a charge, such a presence, he almost doesn't need words, and yet, there is no discernible "technique" at play, no self-concious "actory" mannerisms. We are aware of something extraordinary here, a near-transference of another's persona into McKellen's own. He takes us to places in a way that Olivier once did. Lynn Redgrave is fixating as Hannah, the completely off-the-wall yet endearing servant. Redgrave is always careful never to let schtick mar what could be a caricature of this severely limited character; one can see a real person behind the granite wall of unimaginative denial. Brendan Fraser is the film's most pleasant surprise. Redgrave in the Special Features section of the DVD says of Fraser, "He's a real actor," and this is certainly borne out in the finished result. With a powerhouse of artistic sagacity like McKellan, many a young actor could threaten to flounder helplessly, but Fraser not only holds his own astonishingly, he matches Sir Ian scene for scene. Most impressively, Fraser as his character appears to be paying rapt attention when McKellan's Whale speaks. His reactions are spontaneous and natural, the timing impeccably established. Moreover, Fraser declines to merely play the brooding hunk. When McKellan attacks Fraser's character in lascivious desperation, Fraser's depiction of his horror, trauma, outrage and pain is flinchingly palpable. It does not hurt either than Fraser is physically believable as the object of Whale's attraction.Don't miss this absorbing masterpiece.