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By
WAYNE KLEIN
Archetype. This is the mold
from which we're all made. Over time that mold can
become cracked, have fine blemishes that aren't
immediately visible to the eye. When were pulled
out of that mold, none of these deficiencies
become immediately apparent. As time wears us
down, the blemishes become noticeable. Everyone
has their moment where reason runs away leaving
only impulse and a savage hunger to do something
about the injustices we feel. Luckily, reason
returns after a short vacation to stop anything
from occurring. As children most of us hide under
the covers afraid of what we can't see in the
dark. It never occurs to us that sometimes what we
can't see is the core, of who we are, what drives
us and what could make us monsters. We're all
afraid of unseen monsters in the dark not
realizing that someday that monster could be us.
"Monster" chronicles the true story of Aileen
Wuornos a prostitute who transforms into a serial
killer. "Monster" also chronicles those on the
fringe of society without hope where despair is a
regular part of their diet. Charlize Theron gives
a chilling, powerful and sad performance and
deservedly won an Academy Award for her portrayal.
Christine Ricci who wasn't rewarded gives a deeply
moving performance as Selby, Aileen's lover.
Insanity beckons pushing them to the mouth of
hell. As Aileen discovers her calling as a
murderer she loses track of her humanity but also
become empowered by her heinous acts.
The crystal clear images give a stark sense of
reality to the proceedings. This dark, brooding
tale portrays the grimy world the two girls live
in all too well. The bland, joyless colors are
captured with documentary clarity. The sharp sound
soundtrack with its musical score by BT acts
occasionally as foil to the images we see. The
accuracy of the soundtrack and its rich tones
compliment this drama very well. The reproduction
of the original sound is very good.
As far as extras go, we get an interview with
director/writer Patty Jenkins and musical composer
BT who discuss their approach to the material.
Jenkins comments on her attempt to capture the
reality of Aileen and her lover. She succeeds
remarkably well. Likewise, BT's score underlines
the emotional core of each scene really well. He
discusses some of the scoring decisions that he
and Jenkins made and why they chose the approach
they did to the material. We also get a
fascinating featurette that inadvertently
contrasts the "reality" of making a film about
real, horrible events. Like many films where the
subject is a mass murderer (any number of film
biographies of Hitler come to mind), we get a
glimpse into the minds of the people behind the
project. We find out what attracted Theron and
Jenkins to this tragic drama. Ironically, the
glamour of making a film provides a stark contrast
to the real circumstances that helped shaped
Aileen into the predator she was. We also get the
theatrical trailer. There's no commentary track
from Jenkins or the actors. It's just as well.
Material this stark, this brutal, this dark speaks
for itself and a commentary track might trivialize
the event portrayed.
As a society we inadvertently shape our own
monsters and then unleash them on the world.
Sadly, by the time they're unleashed, there's no
way to restrain them short of capture. By then
they've decided on their path and pursue it with
vigorous determination. "Monster" portrays the
darkness that lies at the core of humanity.
"Monster" tells the story of a child poured into a
flawed mold who, when time and circumstance grind
her down, demonstrated all our worst flaws as a
species. |
