Intermission: Theron captures essence of 'Monster' character

|tab|

Jim Wunderle owns Wunderle Sound Services and is a Springfield free-lance writer and musician.|ret||ret||tab|

|ret||ret||tab|

Director/screenwriter Patty Jenkins delivers a powerful film full of emotional intensity with "Monster," her feature debut. The story, as horrific as it is, benefits greatly from being written and directed by a woman. The film, based on fact, deals with a short period of time in the life of Aileen Wuornos, an anomaly in the world of serial killers.|ret||ret||tab|

Most serial killers are white males and much ado was made about Wuornos' gender when she was caught. The sad truth is Wuornos suffered many of the same traumatic childhood events that seem to be a common thread among serial killers in general. Jenkins doesn't try to excuse Wuornos' behavior, but she presents an unsettling dramatic tale that at least sheds some light on how and why Wuornos became the monster of the film's title.|ret||ret||tab|

Movie pundits have gone on and on about Charlize Theron, who plays Wuornos, and the transformation she underwent to embody this character. Theron, one of the most beautiful actresses of her generation, added several pounds to her usually perfect Hollywood body and through a dental prosthesis, splotchy skin and ratty hair supplied by make-up wizard Tony G. she is virtually unrecognizable. |ret||ret||tab|

Some naysayers claim this is blatant Oscar baiting and they note that besides loving people with some sort of mental defect, Oscar loves people who flab up and get ugly for a role. This is extremely unfair to Theron and her skills as an actress. It was necessary considering how well-known Wuornos' countenance has become for the actress to bear some physical resemblance to the real thing and viewers simply wouldn't believe anyone who had lived such a hard life could still look like Charlize Theron.|ret||ret||tab|

Make-up aside, Theron has captured the essence of her character. Her mannerisms are full of false bravado. She smokes cigarettes in a way that seems to be nothing short of an attack via body language. Her other nuances are nerve wracking, too. But it's the rage in her eyes that's the kicker. Theron's portrayal is as haunting as the real thing. It's truly an uncanny performance. Theron won a Golden Globe for it. |ret||ret||tab|

"Monster" deals with a relatively short, but extremely important, period of time in the life of Wuornos.|ret||ret||tab|

As the film opens, we see her sitting by the side of the interstate with a gun in her hand. We don't know if she's just committed murder, is about to, or if she's contemplating suicide. (We find out later.) In a voice over, Wuornos says "The night I met Selby Wall, all I was looking for was a beer." She found much more.|ret||ret||tab|

Thirsty as she is, Wuornos wanders into a lesbian bar. Young, wide-eyed and naive Selby played with a sweetness that belies something deeper by Christina Ricci approaches Aileen and offers to buy her a beer. Big mistake. Aileen, in a rage, explains to the "dumb dyke" that she's not a lesbian. But the allure of free booze is strong and the two spend the evening together drinking and talking.|ret||ret||tab|

Selby offers Aileen a place to stay the night. Selby is living with relatives after being banished from her parents' house when a girl at school claimed Selby tried to kiss her. |ret||ret||tab|

This is the beginning of a monumental and doomed friendship/love affair. Aileen, whose hatred for men goes back a long way and is very deep-seated, falls in love with Selby. She dreams of changing her life and making a way in the world for both of them.|ret||ret||tab|

Her only work experience since age 13 involves prostitution and she soon realizes that trying to find a regular job, with no experience or education, can be somewhat difficult. So, to make some money for herself and Selby (who has left her relatives), she goes back to hooking. |ret||ret||tab|

One of her Johns turns out to be a brutal, demented man who slugs her, ties her up and rapes her. She breaks free and kills the man in what is surely self-defense. Had this been the extent of matters, Wuornos would never had been convicted. But the killing sparked something inside her and she continued killing. In her mind it was always (expect once) in self defense.|ret||ret||tab|

The bulk of the film deals with the relationship between Selby and Aileen, with the murders punctuating things along the way. There is little graphic sex involved and not much in the way of screen gore, but the emotional intensity and coarse language is enough to make the more sensitive viewer uncomfortable.|ret||ret||tab|

"Monster" ends with Wuornos' capture and trial in 1992, but in reality there is much more to the story, enough for another movie. I doubt if there will be an official sequel, but another film maker will no doubt cash in with the story of the years leading up to Wuornos' execution in 2002.|ret||ret||tab|

"Monster" is not an easy movie to watch, but it's a powerhouse film that will haunt you for a long time. Theron, Ricci and Jenkins deserve all the praise they are receiving.|ret||ret||tab|

[[In-content Ad]]