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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.
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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
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