Product: Gods and Monsters (1998)
Rating: 5.0
Ian McKellen is magnificent
His Jimmy Whale lingers on long after the final fade-out. I don't think I'll ever forget him. Certain impressions stand out especially. Bright little Jimmy sold into factory servitude by his ignorant parents. Young man Jimmy scarred forever by the horrors of WWI trench warfare. He tells Clay (Fraser is his perfect foil) the story of his handsome young friend whose dead body got caught on the barbed wire of no-man's land and hung there grotesquely for weeks, months until, rather than go mad at the sight, Jimmy and his comrades made jokes about it. His background for horror was all too legitimate.McKellen's performance is so nuanced and delicate he can project the gamut of emotions from classic tragedy to high comedy with no more than a wry half smile, the tilt of his head, a look of nostalgic regret. He is an actor without peer past, present, and in all likelihood future.That gentle, deeply felt films like this can still be made and find an audience bodes well for the world. Congratulations and thanks to everyone involved in this magical production.