Product: Gods and Monsters (1998)
Rating: 5.0
Brilliant Acting in a Fabulous Story
Gods and Monsters is a work of fiction based on fact. James Whale was a great director at Universal that created the horror genre and most remembered for his films Frankenstein, Bride of Frankenstein, The Invisible Man and Show Boat with Irene Dunne. And he was openly gay.Ian McKellan plays Whale and Lynn Redgrave his devoted servant Hannah. In the film, they have added a character of Boone (Brenden Frasier). Boone is a gardener and cuts the lawn at Whale's estate. Boone also represents an alter ego of the Frankenstein monster (including a hair cut that resembles a flat top.)The film takes place during the final years of Whale's life. He has had a couple of minor strokes that disrupts his thought filters. Therefore, little things make is mind wander to other times. The film floats from the present to Whale's childhood to the filming of Bride of Frankenstein.Whale becomes infatuated with Boone, not sexually but as the personification of the his creature. He starts by drawing them, then he befriends him. Boone cannot understand this platonic relationship but accepts it. The film ends with Whale's drowning death.Ian McKellan and Lynn Redgrave give master classes in acting and both received Oscar nomination - both should have won. Brendan Frasier continues his dichotomy of performances, wonderful nuanced performance like this followed by mind numbing drivel (which, I guess, pays the bills.)DVD EXTRAS:Director CommentaryThe World of Gods and Monsters - A very well made 30 minute making of documentary featuring cast, director and guest commentary by director Clive Barker.