Product: Gods and Monsters (1998)
Rating: 4.0
A labor of love
Director James Whale brought to life some of the most enduring cinematic images ever known. Every time that we see Frankenstein's Monster (flat head, neck conductors, etc.) we are touched with the creative vision of his art. In this labor of love, Whales's life is depicted in a semi-biographical light and his final days are displayed with the help of a fictional friend. Flashes of his films and history are sprinkled about, aiding character development here and filling out the story there."Gods and Monsters" is a work that entertains us with humor (I laughed out loud several times) while peppering us with serious ideas -- perceptions of homosexuality, encroaching age, impending death, unrealized dreams, etc. It all moves at a leisurely pace, but it never seems to be quite slow. The movie will occasionaly cause discomfort for heterosexual males, but there is often a humorous edge to these moments. Unfortunately, the picture will likely provoke disgust and disdain among those with inordinately homophobic leanings.This is a high quality film delivered by several key persons that have a great interest in its subject matter. It is excellently directed and beautifully photographed. Ian McKellen and Lynn Redgrave are superb in their roles, rendering humor, drama, and poignancy throughout. As lead actor and supporting actress, they were justifiably nominated for "Oscars" at the 1998 Academy Awards. Brendan Frasier, while not up to the level of his older colleagues, performs admirably. Not to be overlooked is the haunting (no pun intended) score that is enjoyable for its own sake and matches the mood of the film perfectly. Although devotees of the horror classics, and Whale fans in particular, are the most obvious candidates for purchase of this movie, it has enough merits to warrant viewing by any serious film-lover.The DVD version of this movie boasts strong picture quality that does justice the the considerable efforts of the cinematographer. The sound is good, and doesn't particularly suffer from the fact that the disc is only recorded in "Dolby Surround". Among other things, the special features include an enjoyable and informative James Whale documentary, and an adequate director commentary. If you've enjoyed this film and are considering purchase of the DVD, you won't be disappointed with its qualities. Never seen it? In that case, rent it. And don't be surprised if you wind up buying it.