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Review

Monster is a mesmerizing film that transports the viewer into the world of a south Florida hooker/man killer thanks to a bravura performance by Charlize Theron. Filmmaker Patty Jenkins has taken the story of Aileen Wuornos who killed seven johns on the highways of southern Florida and inadvertently created a vehicle for former model Charlize Theron to prove to the world that she is a damned fine actress. Indeed, it is quite likely that Ms. Theron will win an Oscar for her transformation from anorexic model into a drunk, chunky, ugly t-shirt wearing, white-trash hooker. If there is some good to come of this story, let it be the birth of a new "serious" actress. Also turning in a performance of power is the always excellent Christina Ricci as Selby, Aileen's love.

Aileen Wuornos, or Lee to her friends, was thrust quite literally into a life of cheap prostitution by her callous family and naturally developed a hatred of men. One night she stumbled into a gay bar and met Selby (Ricci) an outsider baby dyke who latched into Lee. These two lost souls escaped from their crummy lives into a romance set in cheap motel rooms and biker bars. One night a john beat Aileen, tied her up and threatened to kill her. Rather than let Selby think she was being stood up, Lee killed the john with her gun -- and so began her reign of murder. Each time Aileen would kill she would steal the john's car and his money -- meaning the women would have money for beer and food. This sad story was punctuated by the fierce love between the two women. While Lee was never with a woman before, Selby could think of nothing but women and Lee in particular. Their love was intense and somehow motivated Lee to murder as a way of providing for her lover -- the only person who loved the hooker Lee, as she was.

Of course all this has to end tragically. If you have seen one of the fine Nick Broomfield documentaries, you know that Lee was executed. But for one brief moment of tragic sparking glory, the unconditional love of these two women shines on the screen in the midst of a tragedy so fierce one can't but be shaken to one's core by Monster.

Scott Cranin