Product: Gods and Monsters (1998)
Rating: 5.0
An actor's film
What could be more engaging than a film about Hollywood made by people who have an inside track? This is precisely what makes Gods and Monsters such an exquisite film. There are many levels which will appeal to different people. People looking for a good story will find one superbly crafted. Those looking for industry jokes will find them as well, cleverly hidden behind the storyline. It's also a love story of sorts: of a director with his craft; of an aging man with a younger man; of a caretaker with her charge. Ian McKellen, Brendan Fraser and Lynn Redgrave are expertly cast in this film. It doesn't hurt that it was co-produced by Clive Barker (a gay horror film director himself) The connection between the horror movie characters (the monster, the bride of the monster) and the characters in the film is expertly woven. This is a film within a series of films. Brendan Fraser is superb as the lonely young man who can't understand his attraction and revulsion for the aging director; Lynn Redgrave is flawless as the loving caretaker. Sir Ian MacKellen was indeed robbed of his Oscar for his performance in this film.Let this film open your heart.