• Home >
  • Buy >
  • Monster (2004, DVD) >
  • Search results

Monster (2004, DVD)

Movie Description
Charlize Theron delivers a knockout, cast-against-type performance in this gritty drama, based on the true story of Aileen Wuornos, a down and out prostitute who was sentenced to death after killing six men between 1989 and 1990. Christina Ricci costars as Selby Wall, a lesbian runaway who forms a romantic bond with Wuornos. Inspired by her love (even though she is not gay, strictly speaking) Wuornos tries to get a real job, but after meeting with a string of humiliating failures, she returns to work as a hitchhiking hooker, killing her first victim in self-defense after he rapes and beats her. Eventually, robbing and murdering her clients becomes almost second nature and by the end Wuornos even slays a man who was totally innocent (Scott Wilson). Theron's portrayal of this dangerous yet sympathetic character ranks with some of the greatest performances in cinema. Under heavy makeup, extra weight, and a snarling countenance, she proves herself a fearless, formidable talent, completely unrecognizable from the glamorous beauty of such films as THE ITALIAN JOB (2003) and THE DEVIL'S ADVOCATE (1997). First-time director Patty Jenkins proves herself with this fluid and engrossing work, capturing a lot of sordid detail that other movies exploring this milieu might miss; she also wrote the script, based on actual conversations and prison letters from Wuornos. The moody, paranoia-enhancing soundtrack is by electronica maestro BT.

Credits
Producer:Brad Wyman, Charlize Theron, Clark Peterson, Donald Kushner, Matt Damon
Cast:Annie Corley, Bruce Dern, Charlize Theron, Christina Ricci, Lee Tergesen, Pruitt Taylor Vince, Scott Wilson

Notes
DVD Features:

Region 1
Keep Case
Widescreen
Audio:
   Dolby Digital 5.1 - English
Additional Release Material:
   Trailer
   Featurette - 1. Making Of, Theatrical Release: DECEMBER 24, 2003 (NY)
    DECEMBER 26, 2003 (LA/SF)

Editorial Reviews
"[Theron's] unforgettable performance recalls Hilary Swank's Oscar-winning turn in BOYS DON'T CRY..."
New York Times - Stephen Holden (12/24/2003)

"Theron gets everything out of clearly her best role to date."
USA Today - Mike Clark (12/26/2003)

"[Theron's] raw and riveting performance make MONSTER an experience you won't forget."
Rolling Stone - Peter Travers (01/22/2004)

"[Theron] becomes Aileen Wuornos....This isn't just a performance, it's an act of obsession..."
Entertainment Weekly - Owen Gleiberman (01/09/2004)

"Theron has given one of America's favorite nightmare figures a human face..."
Film Comment - Gary Indiana (01/01/2004)

"What Charlize Theron achieves in Patty Jenkins' MONSTER isn't a performance but an embodiment. With courage, art and charity, she empathizes with Aileen Wuornos."
Chicago Sun-Times - Roger Ebert (01/09/2004)

"Theron gets beneath the skin of Wuornos and finds her tortured humanity."
Movieline - Stephen Farber (02/01/2004)

"Patty Jenkins' script and direction are grim and gristly. Superb."
Uncut - Chris Roberts (11/01/2004)

Awards
2003Academy AwardsBest ActressCharlize Theron

Find errors in the product description? Submit a catalog update request now.
    Top Reviews
      Strory of Aileen Wuornos Executed John Murderer
    Review created: 06/20/06(updated 12/18/06)
    10 of 10 people found this review helpful.

    Aileen Wuornos (Charlize Theron) and Selby Wall (Christina Ricci) become pseudo-'lesbian' lovers in this true story about a prostitute (Wuornos) who hates and kills six either brutal, married, cheating, or adulterous men between 1989 and 1990.

    This show angered me because to call the relationship between Wuornos and Wall lesbian is a false representation of lesbian relationships, in general. The real and show relationship between the two women doesn't resemble the commits made and responsibilities taken in the vast majority of same-gender, long-term woman relationships. That is why I didn't count this portrayal as excellent, even though Charlize Theron delivers a riveting performance of the late 20th century wife beaten, cheated by numerous adulterous 'men', serial killer.

    Though Charlize is a raving beauty out of character, in the Wuournos character she was transformed into an atrocious woman who just couldn't cut it in real life society. Though she did try.

    Wuournos is repeatedly humiliated as she tries to get honest job after job. She lacks skills and training at every turn and seems dyslexic. Plus, as a violently abused prostitute, she undoubtedly suffers from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. So this rejection and humiliation only heightens her senses of self-worthlessness and compulsive violence.

    After her first John (after being with Selby) beats and rapes her, she kills him in self-defense. It comes to her as a shock that she does it. Once she got the sweet taste of revenge she couldn't stop robbing and murdering the male brutes, sluts, and adulterers who hired her for quick and secret sex as they expected it. Though no one deserves to be murdered, Wuournos was by the state. Almost all the men she murdered were made out to be victims and saints, who were 'just being typical men by hiring a prostitute . . .' .

    I also didn't give this story line an excellent rating because it fails miserably to look at the sexual roles the brutal, cheating, adulterous men are playing in the tragic story of Aileen Wuournos. Rated R and a half, this one's not even for pre-teens or young teens. It's an adult film that one should go into with a critiquing mind of the men's roles and mischaracterizations as "victims."


    Review ID: 10000000001221578
    Was this review helpful?
     
    Report this review
      Monster
    Review created: 02/19/06
    2 of 5 people found this review helpful.

    Excellent movie. Amazing how they made Charlize Theron look like Eileen Wournors. Living in the state of Florida, I remember watching about Wourners on TV. What can be said except that CHARLIZE did a fantastic performance. 4 Stars to that movie.


    Review ID: 10000000000754370
    Was this review helpful?
     
    Report this review
      Not for under 18 - Monster
    Review created: 02/06/06
    by:
    0 of 5 people found this review helpful.

    The content of this movie is very graffic! In the dicription, It makes you assume that it's about 2 young girl that have gone the wrong way in life and are soon to be on the road to redemption. I thought it would be a good movie to show my 11 year old. I wanted her to see how it can be out in the real world. Needless to say, she had nightmares for a week. It is a decent movie but not for under 18.


    Review ID: 10000000000729304
    Was this review helpful?
     
    Report this review
    Reviews
      dvd monster
    Review created: 07/28/08
    by:

    Returned emails prompt. Movie was sent to me pretty fast. I bought this movie because I have been wanting it for a while but never got around to going to get it.


    Review ID: 10000000008106658
    Was this review helpful?
     
    Report this review
      Great
    Review created: 07/24/08
    by:

    I have been wanting to see this movie since it came out. I was not disappointed! I thought it was a excellent movie!


    Review ID: 10000000008072646
    Was this review helpful?
     
    Report this review
     
    Member-created Product Description
    Create a product description!
    Creating and modifying product descriptions is fun and easy. Any member can, and is encouraged to, contribute to our member-created product descriptions.
    Member-created product descriptions are typically composed of four sections:
    1- An introduction: Provide an overall description of the product, including when it was first introduced and a few key features.
    2- A detailed description: Add product details and specifications.
    3- Any additional information: Add information such as how the product works or any special menu options.
    4- A summary: Add pros and cons, as well as overall impressions of the product.
    That's all there is to it. Contributing to a product description is simple, and you can always edit your content if you don't like what you wrote. Click Create to get started.

    About eBay | Announcements | Security Center | eBay Toolbar | Policies | Government Relations | Site Map | Help
    Copyright © 1995-2008 eBay Inc. All Rights Reserved. Designated trademarks and brands are the property of their respective owners. Use of this Web site constitutes acceptance of the eBay User Agreement and Privacy Policy.
    eBay official time
    Save this search
    Name this searchPlease enter a name for your search.Replace an existing search?
    Replace this search
    Please select a search to replace.
    Cancel
    No suggestions.