Product: Gods and Monsters (1998)
Rating: 5.0
Much more than a gay film
Reading through these, I'm turned off by reviewers who give plot summaries, by the time you've read this far, you'll all know what the movie's about anyway, so i'll refrain from doing it.that said, this movie is far more than a gay film. condon says it in his audio commentary, critics who know what they're talking about agree. the movie, at it's core, is a buddy movie. clay boone and whale talk, think, reveal, and ultimately live life through each other. i would argue intensely that being unable to get past the homo-erotic dialogue means missing the point. the movie develops an ulikely friendship--unlikely not just because clay boone is homophobic and whale gay, but also because of the generation and income gaps--looks into war's effects on the psyche, the fear of death, fascination with celebrity, being an outcast, film history, and then, finally, homophobia.theme aside, the movie masterfully captures whale's style. condon homages whale to the point of recreating 'the bride's' set. lynn redgraves' character is essentially pulled directly from a whale film. sets are designed using whale's artistic taste (and some of whale's paintings), etc, etc. this pulls the film along for any film historian, or fanatic of whale movies, who can look for the next 'whale reference' and never be disapointed; it also adds authenticity, credibility, and believability for the casual viewer.still it is the screen writing and acting--both incomparable (especially when compared to major hollywood productions)--that make this film as memorable as it is. fraser has never been so engaging. mckellan is sensational. redgrave carries the film through comedic relief, and lolita davidovich (in an unfortunately underdeveloped role) is captivating. condon's dialogue is realistic, his characters unblemished and genuine, and (for those of you that have read or are reading the book) the script is consistent with bramm's novel.in all, this movie is more than entertainment, more than a film. it's art.