MONSTER

Several days ago, I reviewed a film which contains one of the best performances by a male actor ever. So, it's only fitting that my follow up details a turn by an actress which garners the same kind of praise. "Monster", which candidly tells the story of the infamous prostitute turned serial killer Aileen Wuornos, sees Charlize Theron make one of the most convincing transformations we've ever seen.

As "Monster" opens, we are soon introduced to the instability and deterioration of its main character. Wuornos' life has driven her within an inch of suicide, and the film effectively shows her to be a lonely, damaged, out of touch individual. Where "Monster" quickly differs from most other serial killer stories, is in the emotional and even sympathetic tones which it achieves. As the protagonist develops a naïve, unlikely relationship with an 18-year-old girl, viewers get a sense of helplessness surrounding the characters. Wuornos wants nothing more than to provide for herself and the young Selby, and to give them what they see as a normal life. Her methods are less than honorable, and the film does not make excuses for the robberies and seven murders that she commits, but the passion which is evident in the picture's central performance crafts the story to a point where it pains viewers to see the overall decay of the character. Her obviously delusional outlook on her life and her "work" make her a tragic character more than just an evil one.

If one went into watching this film without seeing any billing, they likely would not recognize Charlize Theron as the lead. However, the brilliance of her performance goes beyond the stunning physical transformation. The actress' mannerisms and intense vocal delivery brilliantly make viewers  uneasy. There isn't a scene in the film in which the character seems level headed. Where Theron is most successful is in the troubling volatility she brings to Wuornos. Her ability to swing from pathetically vulnerable to disturbingly brutal within seconds beautifully establishes the psychopathic nature of the character. The decision to cast Theron in this role was likely one which caused some head scratches at the time, but it has proven to be one of the best casting choices in cinema history. It's a bold, courageous and ultimately virtuosic display of acting.

Something about serial killers attracts a considerable amount of interest and fascination from society. Strangely, we are often eager to get inside the heads of those who experience insanity. People in Hollywood, as well as fans of movies and television are often mesmerized by madness, but, again, this film separates itself in its ability to cause viewers to feel for such a violent character, rather than simply hate her. The movie and its lead performance are endlessly thought-provoking, and if I've seen works by actresses which are better than this one, they can undoubtedly be counted on one hand.

RATING: 7.8/10