Monster

Absolutely! "Monster" is an exceptional and thought-provoking film that leaves a lasting impression. Directed by Patty Jenkins, the movie delves into the disturbing journey of Aileen Wuornos, a former prostitute turned serial killer. Charlize Theron's performance is nothing short of remarkable. Theron's portrayal of Wuornos is truly transformative. She completely immerses herself in the character, capturing Wuornos's raw emotion, vulnerability, and inner turmoil. Theron's physical transformation is astonishing, as she gained weight, altered her appearance with prosthetics, and mastered Wuornos's mannerisms and dialect. WOW. Her dedication to the role is evident in every scene, making her portrayal utterly convincing.. how could it not be? Patty Jenkins' direction is equally outstanding. She approaches the sensitive subject matter with great sensitivity, exploring the complex issues surrounding Wuornos's life and crimes. Jenkins skillfully balances the dark and gritty aspects of the story with moments of tenderness and introspection, allowing the audience to develop a deeper understanding of Wuornos's psyche. The film's writing is exceptional, offering a nuanced and poignant exploration of the human condition. It delves into themes of trauma, abuse, societal marginalization, and the desperate search for love and acceptance. By humanizing Wuornos, the movie prompts us to question the nature of evil and the circumstances that can lead an individual down a destructive path. In terms of technical aspects, the cinematography effectively captures the bleakness and despair of Wuornos's world, while the soundtrack enhances the emotional impact of key scenes. The supporting cast, including Christina Ricci as Selby, Wuornos's love interest, delivers solid performances that complement Theron's tour de force. BLOWN AWAY. Overall, "Monster" is a powerful and haunting film that showcases exceptional performances, nuanced storytelling, and a profound exploration of the human psyche. While it may not be an easy watch due to its disturbing subject matter, it is undeniably a captivating and thought-provoking piece of cinema that deserves recognition.

Well...What we have here is a disturbing movie in some ways, but that is its intention, anyway. It allows us to think about the marginalized of our society and tries to make us understand what Aileen Wuornos went through in her life. Of particular importance is the absolutely terrific acting by Charlize Theron (for which she received Best Actress in this role) and Christina Ricci, who nearly steals the show. Before viewing, one should take a look on Wikipedia of the real story behind one of the nation's few women serial killers. And then, make a decision as to whether or not she should have been executed or not. In working with those deemed mentally ill as well as the marginalized, I have discovered they all have their own stories, some of which are just plain awful. Such is the case here. Other reviewers state with an air of ignorance and subtle racism that Wuornos should have approached social services in an attempt to wrestle with her demons in a safe manner and get some support, medication and resolution in a halfway house. I seriously doubt that Wuornos had the belief she could trust those agencies in light of the fact no one really understood her, or those demons she grappled so hard with. While it is true that as a prostitute one's daily life is always at risk, knows the dangers faced, and try to get something to eat to keep from starving to death. To care about persons such as what is depicted here knocks on the door of our capacity as humans to show some level of compassion, some level of maturity. That can be hard to do at times. Scenes where Theron faces potential employers are disturbing, as she gets angry and tells them off, rightly so in some respects. Bad behavior, indeed. On both sides. But practicing loving kindness is something not only lacking in Wuornos, but in those potential employers as well, and society as a whole. When you see this film, think about the true fact Wuornos was deemed Borderline Personality Disorder and Anti-Social Personality Disorder. Most of the time, personality disorders are difficult, if not impossible, to resolve, with or without medication, with or without therapy. Then, to be subjected to the criminal justice system in Florida is also difficult, and the subject's notoriety preceded her before she even had the remotest chance of a fair trial. When one deals with pathology of this magnitude, it is indeed, difficult to cast aside one's own prejudices in dealing with this population of the marginalized. The saving grace of Wuornos' legacy is that when one sees this film or reads about her life, perhaps compassion will find a way into one's life so that others may benefit. Movie Critic Roger Ebert at the time thought this the Best Film of the Year when it first came out. I would agree. Worth seeing and highly recommended.

LOVES IT!

Haven’t watched this particular dvd yet. I know this dvd is excellent!!!

"Monster" delves into the mind of the first female serial killer, Aileen Wuornos (Charlize Theron.) But it does not condone what she did or take sides. Instead, the film describes her life over the nine months after she found love with Selby (Christina Ricci); from 1989 to 1990. I really liked the narration/voiceover that Charlize did (as Aileen.) It lent a little credence to the movie and some humanity to Aileen, as well. Charlize Theron very rightfully won the Academy Award for her portrayal of Aileen Wuornos. Charlize completely metamorphosed her entire look which was so eerie and uncanny because it was impossible to tell that she was acting in a movie. She also changed the sound of her voice, sounding exactly like the women she played. Charlize is a true actress and very deserving of the Best Actress nod from the Academy. Christina Ricci was also excellent playing the shy and introverted Selby, and has proven herself to be a very accomplished cinema actress. The movie follows the tale of harried and hopeless Aileen Wuornos as she tries to pick up the pieces of her shattered and tattered life. When Aileen meets Selby it was almost love at first sight. Selby practically saved her life and for that Aileen was forever in her debt. I think my favorite scene was when they were together in the bed (that first night they met) and Selby asks Aileen if she could touch her face. Aileen seemed so sensitive and gentle. Besides that horrible rape scene and other depictions of degradation (I really hated that scene with that scumbag cop that picked her up after her job interview), I also found the scenes when Aileen tried to look for work very bitter. No one would give her a chance or listen to her. She had no money, no education, no family; absolutely nothing. All the doors were loudly slammed in her face. Society gladly threw Aileen Wuornos away. She was just another hooker, why did it matter that she wanted to clean up her act? Charlize was especially perfect during these parts. Her look of rage, and total desperation was purely obvious. Another aspect of this story that I found terribly sad was when Selby turned her back on Aileen. Aileen loved her more than her own life and she finally thought that she had a chance of happiness. Maybe Aileen also thought that she finally found a person that she could honestly trust. Maybe if Aileen never met Selby she would still be alive today? I really liked the way the movie ended. It wasn't too deep or sad, instead I found it very surreal because it wasn't too weighty. The movie ended the way it started, with Aileen narrating to the viewers in her own sarcastic and comical way. "Monster" did make me feel sorry for Aileen because she was obviously an incredibly broken person that was never given a fighting chance. Someone please tell me why is Aileen vilified while these horrible men that raped her and sexually abused her aren't? Whoever said it's a man's world sure wasn't kidding.

The movie script is based on a true story about Aileen "Lee" Wuornos (Charlize Theron), a prostitute who killed her johns and stole their money. She did it because she wanted to support her lesbian lover Selby (Christina Ricci). The film starts with their chance meeting in a bar Aileen has entered not knowing it is a gay/lesbian hangout. Selby offers Aileen to spend the night in her bed where she is discovered by her guardian Donna. They arrange a meeting the following night but Aileen is late. She was brutally raped and in self defense kills her assailant and takes his car and money. The rape scene is very disturbing and difficult to watch. Theron excels in the following scene where she murders the rapist. Particularly memorable is the scream she releases at the end, right before she looses consciousness. Afterwards Aileen still manages to meet with Selby and offers to take care of her. The two of them run away and make some motel room their home. Soon after the money runs out and Aileen tries to earn some and disgusted by her last john, decides to leave prostitution. This is the weakest part of the movie. Aileen tries to get a regular job and is turned down on many occasions. She even tries to get a job as a secretary at a lawyer's office. I'm not sure what was the point of those scenes. If the author tried to build some kind of sympathy in the viewers for Aileen she failed because in some scenes she looks almost comical and I'm sure that was not Patty Jenkins intention. After her last job interview, with the lawyer, she is taken away by a policeman who knows she is a prostitute. Aileen then realizes that her only option is prostitution and she takes to the highway again. The following scene in which she realizes that she can repeat the murder is the most memorable in the movie. The performance of Theron is simply brilliant as her eyes and body language shows the conflict, realization and finally the decision to commit another murder. This time Aileen does it much easier and shows less remorse. The romance between Aileen and Selby suffers when Selby starts going out and meeting new lesbian friends. Aileen is left on the side to watch but comes to term with the situation. Ricci portrays Selby very well as a spoiled and weak teenager trying to fight for her life choices. Her performance is good but never matches Theron. Aileen continues to kill her johns and provides for Selby but makes a fatal mistake when she kills a police officer which offered to help her. Selby has a car accident in one of the stolen cars and they are seen together by an elderly couple. Police starts to tighten the noose around them and releases their sketches on TV. Aileen realizes that they are going to be caught and sends Selby to her father. She is then caught and Selby is a star witness in her trial. Aileen is sentenced to death and executed after spending 12 years on death row. The movie is presented in 1,85:1 widescreen. Picture quality is very good with well defined color and no visible digital artifacts. I was a bit disappointed with sound quality. Even though there is 5.1 DTS mix available as an option the sound is sometimes poorly mixed. In some scenes it is difficult to follow the dialogue because it is obscured by music and sound effects. The special features include: Featurette This is a 16 minute Making of "Monster" documentary which features interviews with Charlize Theron and Patty Jenkins. Theron talks about a research trip she took with Patty Jenkins while preparing for the role. She visited some of the places where Aileen lived and spent her time. They talk how they read her letters which she wrote in the last years of her life and talked with her childhood friend. The there is a part about the makeup where we see a bit of work necessary to transform Theron into Aileen. We get a short glimpse at working on location and see some of the creative process Charlize Theron used in creating the character of Aileen. One interesting line Theron says in the interview: "There is no way to get the story right, because there is so much happening in a persons life that it is impossible." That is true, and that is why I don't like "based on a true story" movies, because they are never right. Theatrical Trailer International Trailer Monster "Surrounded" is a brief bit about surround mixing of the sound and the score for the movie. Film Mixing Demo This is an interesting interactive demo where you can isolate or mix sound effect and dialogues from some scenes in the movie. It is interesting but with no long term value since it quickly becomes boring. Also, it feels like it doesn't belong to a DVD with this sort of movie. It would be a nice edition to a movie like "Monsters inc" but here it just seems out of place. Interview With Patty Jenkins & BT This is a longer documentary about the evolution of a musical score for the movie. BT is a young composer who made his name in "Fast and Furious" movie and was a bit of a surprise for this kind of movie but in my opinion it turned out great. The score is very good and reflects the mood of the movie but it is a shame that it is sometimes too loud and obscures the dialogue. This is a very good movie but it is nowhere near the five star rating. It is closer to three stars but the amazing performance of Charlize Theron earns the fourth star. The Oscar is well deserved. Even though her face is filled with makeup and prosthetics she manages to portray all the emotions the character is experiencing. The makeup team led by Toni G (Dawn of the Dead, Planet of the Apes) also deserves a big applause for their work. Her performance is a great example of total immersion in the role. She had to gain almost 30 pounds to give her the required look. The biggest problem of the movie is its apologetic story toward the main character. The movie is full of references to Aileen's hard life and the abuse she suffered as a child. But hard life is no excuse for murder. Half the population of the planet would be murderers if it was so. The script is based on the stories Aileen told her bunkmate in prison. But are those stories true or are they the product of a deranged mind of a convicted killer, we will never know. So this story is one dimensional, from a point of view of a killer. There is no mention of the suffering she caused by killing those men, the loss their families had to endure. Her first victim, the rapist is a despicable human being but, what are his reasons to act that way. Did he had a hard life as well?

If you have not seen Charlize Theron 'channel' Aileen Wuornos in the film Monster, you are in for an amazing film experience. This performance by Theron will become legendary, much like Robert DeNero's legendary acting in Raging Bull. Let me explain why I found this film to be exceptional: When I read a book or see a film, I watch for the manner in which the writer,director, and actors portray the characters. The more justice shown and compassion shown, generally the more I like the work. I am not convinced of pure evil or pure charity or pure innocenence or pure revenge. Charlize Theron allows us to see the terribly twisted youth and adolescence of Aileen, the series of bad breaks and miscalculations, and yet we also see her crimes as unnecessary, especially all her murders after the first murder. She did kill a sadistic rapist in self defense in her first homocide, but unfortunately this melts into a series of murders. It is when a good Samaratan type of family man picks her up thinking that she is really a person in need of help, and circumstances come together so that Aileen chooses to kill him also, that we see her final sentence is just and we can leave the end of the film with a sense of closure. Christina Ricci plays the lost lesbian girl that was Eileen's partner in these final months and during the murder spree. She does a good job of playing the rebellious teenager, rebelling against any boundaries and yet dependent on the adult world for her meals and clothing and shelter. The film will make you sad and maybe even angry. I become angry when I think about the physical and sexual mistreatment of children and how these experiences may destroy a life course or life path. I felt real compassion for Aileen but also for her victims. Well made, well acted, excellent film.

Some reviewers of this movie felt that the film really didn't show us what makes Aileen Wuornos, the serial killer, tick. I beg to differ. Charlize Theron, in her outstanding job of acting, magnificently brings out the suffering, the loneliness, the despair of this unfortunate individual. Aileen comes from a dreary background (her mother abandons her, her father commits suicide, and she turns to prostitution in her early teens). The movie opens with Aileen contemplating suicide. Then she meets her future lover, Selby, in a bar, and becomes intoxicated with the type of friendship that has been denied her all of her life. She becomes alive, wanting nothing else but to hold on to her new lover, and make her happy. She engages in a frenzied bout of hooking in order to get some cash to sustain her in this new relationship. A tragedy ensues in which Aileen kills a psychopathic john. Aileen continues to kill, mostly for the cash, and to have a car to get around in. In her desire to leave the life of a pro she tries to get a job to support herself and Selby. She doesn't have a clue about how to dress properly or interview for a job. The experience is frustrating and painful to her, and she sees, as do we, what a true outcast she is. She puts on a sour grapes bravado with Selby: who wants their stupid jobs anyway. This carefully scripted movie leads the viewer to an understanding of Aileen, but does not promote sympathy for her. Her murders are too repellent for sympathy. Ms Theron is excellent in showing the frantic hopelessness of Aileen, who struggles desperately to hold her life together. She wants to live with Selby, have a job, and a house in the suburbs, but knows deep down under the macho front she tries to maintain, that her dreams will never be realized. See inside Aileen? We see inside her with every wild wide eyed look; with every gesture; with every word she utters. Her anger, her walk, her desperation all show us a person who is totally outside society. There is no way she will ever fit in. We know it and she knows it. Within the first ten minutes of the film we know that Aileen Wuornos is doomed.

ACHTUNG ! ENTHÄLT SPOILER ! Im Jahr 2003 erschien der Film "Monster" der Regisseurin und Drehbuchautorin Patty Jenkins. Er beruht auf dem berühmten Fall der Serienmörderin Aileen Wuornos (Charlize Theron), die 1992 für den Mord an 6 Freiern zum Tode verurteilt und 2002 durch Giftspritze hingerichtet wurde. Seit dem 8.Lebensjahr von einem Bekannten des Vaters mißbraucht, landet Aileen mit 13 Jahren auf dem Straßenstrich, wo die im Film ca. 30-35jährige seitdem ihren Lebensunterhalt verdient. Ihres Lebens überdrüssig, will sie ihre letzten 5 $ vertrinken und lernt in einer Bar die gerade volljährig gewordene Selby kennen, die zur "Heilung" von ihrer Homosexualität zu einer Tante geschickt wurde und den Kontakt zu ihr sucht. Aus den beiden wird ein Liebespaar, Aileens Versuche, ein bürgerliches Leben aufzubauen, scheitern an erfolgloser Jobsuche, und Selby ist ein verwöhntes Persönchen, arbeitet selber nicht, sodaß Aileen den alten Job wieder aufnimmt. Sie wird von einem sadistischen Freier brutal vergewaltigt, kann sich aber befreien und den Sadisten mit seiner Pistole aus dem Handschuhfach erschießen. Sie bleibt in dem Job, wird vón einem Polizisten gedemütigt und erschießt nach und nach weitere 6 Freier, darunter einen Polizisten und einen Mann, der sie anhand von Steckbriefen des Paares erkannt hat. Im Prozeß sagt ihre ehemalige Geliebte gegen sie aus, Aileen nimmt alle Schuld auf sich. Im Making Off berichten die Regisseurin und C.Theron über umfangreiche Rechersche. Sie haben mit Menschen gesprochen, die die Täterin kannten und nicht schlecht über sie sprachen, es wurde ein sehr umfangreicher Schriftwechsel mit einer Jugendfreundin gesichtet ,der sich über die gesamte Zeit bis zur Hinrichtung hinzog, der Drehort war dann auch die Gegend, wo sich die Ereignisse abgespielt hatten. Das Ergebnis ist ein durchaus fesselnder Film, der Aileen als selbstbewußte, professionelle Prostituierte darstellt, die nach bitterer Mißbrauchvorgeschichte ( die nur kurz erzählt wird) und ca. 15-20 Jahren als Straßenhure ohne Zuhälter ausgebrannt ist. Die Bekanntschaft und die aufkommende Liebe zu der kleinen Selby gibt ihr noch einmal neuen Lebensmut, den Absprung schafft sie aber nicht und hat mit der unreifen Freundin auch keine rechte Unterstützung, Selby läßt sich aushalten, ist zwar über die Taten entsetzt, bleibt aber bei Aileen. Die erste Tat wird als völlig gerechtfertigt geschildert, so wie es im Film geschah, hatte sie keine andere Wahl, sie mußte damit rechnen, nach den Vergewaltigungen ermordet zu werden oder sie nicht zu überleben. Im Verlauf wird noch ein Kontakt zu einem völlig verklemmten Kunden gezeigt, bei dem das Geld mit kurzer "Handarbeit" rasch verdient ist, es folgen weitere Morde zur Geldbeschaffung, die nicht alle gezeigt werden, ein Mord geschieht ohne jede Not aus blankem Haß, der Tote scheint hier stellvertretend für alle Freier zu stehen und zu sterben, der letzte aus blanker Angst und Verzweiflung, weil sie erkannt wurde. Aileen erscheint als Frau, die das Leben hart gemacht hat, auf der Straße und dem Straßenstrich steht sie ihre Frau, sie ist selbstbewußt und, wenn Geld da ist, großkotzig und provokant. Den Weg in ein normales Leben mit Selby, durch "normale Arbeit" finanziert, kann man sich einfach nicht vorstellen. Kritikwürdig ist, daß Aileen in dem Film relativ gut davon- und fast sympathisch rüberkommt. Sicher muß man ihr Schicksal als Mißbrauchopfer berücksichtigen, und das beliebte Argument, daß Frauen mit vergleichbarer Vorgeschichte nicht zur Prostituierten und Mörderin geworden sind, daß Aileen also voll schuldig sei, ist kurzsichtig. Wir erfahren einfach zu wenig über die Vorgeschichte. Und wenn Frauen diese oder vergleichbare Kindheit wegstecken konnten (sicher nie unbeschadet), macht es doch einen Unterschied, ob sie aus einem guten sozialen Umfeld kommt, ob sie Hilfsangebote bekommt, wie gut sie solche Kindheit verarbeiten oder auch verdrängen kann. Nicht gezeigt wird, was sie zu den weiteren Morden veranlaßt hat, dachte sie, nur mit Mord ihr Leben finanzieren zu können und sich den Sex mit den Freiern ersparen zukönnen? Was einmal funktioniert hat, kann auch immer funktionieren? Hingen die Morde vom Typ des Freiers ab? Der eine Mord erschien eiskalt, der andere verzweifelt und widerwiilig aus Angst vor Entlarvung. Im Prozeß hat sie sich ausgeschwiegen, es blieb offen, ob es 6 oder 7 waren, bei der Festnahme schien sie mit dem Leben abgeschlossen zu haben, nachdem sie vorher die Geliebte noch in Sicherheit gebracht hat. Der Film ist aus diesen Gründen kein Meisterwerk, aber ich bewerte ihn sehr gut, weil er fesselte, nicht zuletzt oder besser fast nur durch die schauspielerische Glanzleistung von Charlize Theron, die neben Oscar und Golden Globe fast 20 weitere Preise dafür erhalten hat. Was man von der Nominierung zum MTV Movie Award für den besten Filmkuss mit C.Ricci halten soll, dazu äußere ich mich lieber nicht. "Mut zur Häßlichkeit"? Theron soll für die Rolle 13 kg zugelegt haben, sie trug ein Gebiß, was natürlich die untere Gesichspartie plumper machte, und die Fisur mit oben glatt und an den Seiten etwas abstehend zurückgebürsteten Haaren war unvorteilhaft, für Manchen vielleicht auch die aufgetupften Sommersprossen. Sie war aber beileibe nicht fett, hatte nur ein kleines Bäuchlein, dort 5 kg weniger, und an der Figur wäre von vielen nichts auszusetzen gewesen. Sie verkörperte eher einen herben, etwas männlich wirkenden Typ, war aber nicht abstoßend häßlich und sah besser aus als die echte Aileen Wuornos. Es war aber nicht die Maske, die zu einer gewissen Ähnlichkeit mit der echten Ailleen führte, welche Charlize Theron so beeindruckend machte, sondern ihr Spiel insgesamt. Sie ließ ihre tatsächliche Schönheit völlig vergessen, ihr gesamtes Auftreten, ihr Gehabe, ihr manchmal fast rockerartiges Gangbild, das selbstbewußt- provokative Auftreten, die Emotionen im Verhältnis zur Geliebten, das blanke Entsetzen, als sie den einen Freier ermorden "muß", wir wissen nicht, ob das Aileen war, aber ganz gewiss war es nicht Charlize Theron, die Aileen nur spielt, alles war ohne Bruch, immer authentisch wirkend, bewegend, egal in welchem Sinne. Dies ließ mich während des Filmes seine Schwächen vergessen bzw. mich ihrer erst später bewußt werden. Eine schauspielerisches Glanzleistung von Charlize Theron,die mit recht für ihr Spiel und nicht für ihr Aussehen belohnt wurde. Sie allein schon macht den Film unbedingt sehenswert. Doc Halliday

I love documentaries and this one was well done. C.Theron doesn't look anything like how she normally looks they did an amazing job making her look like Aileen Wuornos. I had mixed emotions about this serial killer movie. Only because I watched a documentary which showed interviews with her and how she was given the death penalty even for the first murder which was clearly self defense as she was raped and tortured. The movie actually didn't show everything she said happened while on the stand. It was pretty horrific what this guy did to her. However after that she went nuts and thought every man was like that. She was also not a very intelligent woman kind of a simpleton she was very easily manipulated and taken advantage of because she had no common sense. Over all the movie was well done and they did a great job of making you feel sorry for Aileen Wuornos. Which is kinda awful in away but shows that she was turned into this serial killer, she didn't want to be like this, but after the rape/torture she endured she mentally wasn't in her right frame of mind when she killed the other men.

Não é descrito que é região B, por sorte tenho player que toca

Charlize Theron quite rightly was given Oscar, Golden Globe and other nominations/awards for her lead role in this film. Many of the most compelling scenes are where she is doubled up with Christina Ricci in highly charged intimate moments, but there are some wild rough-house action scenes too, and in my view it is that blend of moods and locations that really elevates this film to so much more than it might have been. Charlize Theron plays the part of Aileen Wuornos, America's first female serial killer. The 2-disc version of the DVD includes various interviews and making-of documentaries and featurettes, plus trailers, deleted scenes and so on. Thankfully, the cast and crew who made this film put in a huge amount of time and effort to get into the detail behind the tabloid headlines and to really try and understand Aileen's background and character. They've also taken great care not to either downplay or to glorify the violence. There are some very grim situations, but also some moments of humour and hope, plus a huge amount of superb acting in parts that the actresses were not known for portraying - during daily make-up they apparently had to "de-beautify" Charlize in order to give her face the weathered appearance of Aileen, plus vocal coaching for the changes in intensity needed. Recommended.

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