Product: Gods and Monsters (1998)
Rating: 5.0
Truly moving and involving in every possible way...
I went into watching this film expecting to see nothing more than some Oscar caliber acting. It's not that I'm not a fan of the biopic, quite the opposite indeed, but I remember when this film was released and I remember having no desire to see it whatsoever. I broke down last week and said "what the heck" and watched it, beginning to end, and I have to say that I was utterly impressed by just about every aspect of this film. I wasn't privy to the life of famed Frankenstein director James Whale previous to watching this film, in fact the only part of his life I was aware of was his open homosexuality. What I wasn't aware of was his constant pains of loneliness and despair. The film so richly helps us to see that James only craved company, really nothing more than that.Ian McKellen probably gives his most superb performance here with his portrayal of the ailing Whale. His every movement is so intricate and well thought out that you forget your watching an actor. He was completely confidant and convincing in every way and well deserved that Oscar nod, and arguably the Oscar (I'm still on the Edward Norton bandwagon myself).The film explores the last days of Whale's life, as he becomes infatuated with his new gardener Clay Boone (Played by Brendan Fraser in a performance filled with talent I feel he lacks) while yet drifting further from his grip on reality. As Whale's condition worsens he is plagued by flashbacks that have horrible effects on his mental state causing him to hallucinate and making his relationships with others somewhat unstable. The tragic conclusion to the film involving the events leading up to Whale's suicide are completely engrossing and touching as they expose this man for who he really was, sad, alone and desperate.Lyn Redgrave does a wonderful job as Whale's long time housekeeper Hanna, giving the movie a sarcastic somewhat comedic edge, and Fraser, as I mentioned, played his part so wonderfully I was shocked I was watching that guy from the Mummy movies. He actually gave an Oscar caliber performance indeed. But, through and through, this is McKellen's movie and his finest hour indeed. Directed brilliantly by Bill Condon and masterfully adapted from Christopher Bram's novel `Father of Frankenstein', `Gods and Monsters' thrives with authenticity and affection in everything from the set pieces to the flash backs to the words left unspoken in the eyes of the actors. This is a truly moving picture that says so much about a man of whom I knew so little.