Product: Gods and Monsters (1998)
Rating: 5.0
A mesmerizing and poignant portrayal
When I first saw this film, I was absolutely knocked out by it. Ian McKellen turned in a rich, Oscar-worthy performance as horror-director James Whale (whose homosexuality came at a time when the subject was forbidden in Hollywood), a man who is haunted by past images--and at the same time, welcomes those hauntings--in his life. The supporting cast is outstanding too: Brendan Fraser as the hunky ex-Marine gardener who forges an unlikely but delicately beautiful friendship with Whale; and Lynn Redgrave (who walks the tricky tightrope between depth and caricature)as his longtime Hungarian servant, Hannah.Beautifully crafted & told by writer/director Bill Condon, this film will burn its imagery into your mind for a long time to come. A definite must-see!