 Writer Cheri
Rosenberg reviews two films this issue..."Monster," starring Academy Award winner Charlize Theron and
"When Love Comes" |
 Monster
DVD (2003)"Monster," starring Charlize Theron and Christina Ricci is a disturbing film based on the true story of a destitute, drug-addicted prostitute and serial killer, Aileen Wuornos. For me, the best part of the film is the stunning performance by Charlize Theron as she transforms herself completely into the Wuornos character, both physically and psychologically. Her every move, and inflection of voice is impeccable in her portrayal. Theron’s 2004 Academy Award for best actress is well deserved. Christina Ricci’s performance as Wuornos’s lover is incredible. I had no prior knowledge of the true events of Aileen Wuornos’s life before watching Monster; therefore, I am only commenting on the merits of the film, its cast, and writer/director Patty Jenkins. The make-up artist, Toni G, who expertly transformed Theron into Wuornos, did an amazing job. She turns a beautiful model into a person who had clearly never taken care of herself, and had abused her body most of her life. Monster is a very sad story of a girl who is so depressed she contemplates suicide, which in retrospect would have saved the lives of seven men. One rainy night, at her lowest point, Aileen ends up in a sleazy gay bar where she is picked up by Selby—a lonely girl whose true ambition is to get away from her fundamentalist father, and the aunt she was sent to live with. Aileen tells Selby to get lost, that she’s not gay, but she ends up spending the night in the girl’s bed anyway. They just sleep, but the relationship develops into much more as time passes. It seems Aileen has never experienced love, or a semblance of it, in her entire life. Even though the movie did not leave me happy, I could not stop watching it. Not knowing the story before hand increased my suspense. I was mesmerized by Theron and Ricci’s performances. I could see what caused her to snap and kill the john who physically beat Aileen almost to death, but I was horrified that she was able to kill repeatedly. The fact that she was sexually abused as a child, uneducated, and unloved had a lot to do with the way she turned out. Her background cannot be overlooked. Though not an excuse for committing murder, Aileen justifies her actions by feeling that men aren’t worthy of living…they are all dangerous predators. At one point in the film, Wournos expresses a desire to turn her life around and find a respectable job. Her attempts end in failure, but she is desperate to keep Selby happy. Selby encourages Aileen to keep tricking in order to avoid being hungry, and to continue having a good time. Alcohol, drugs, food, and motel rooms cost money, and if Aileen can’t get a real job, she’ll have to remain a hooker. I don’t think Selby planned on Aileen’s brutally murdering the men she enticed, but she’s sure happy with the money. What bothered me about the film, beside the story itself, is that Hollywood thinks nothing of showing heavy petting between two women, but they loathe, or are too afraid to show the same situation with two men. I feel Hollywood has the responsibility to depict loving LGBT relationships instead of concentrating on the dregs of society. While Monster did not glorify lesbian relationships, I honestly believe that Aileen truly loved Selby Wall on some level. The love scenes were more than convincing without being too graphic, even though Wuornos claimed she was not gay. Perhaps she used the excuse of love to justify killing her johns--after taking their money and cars. Another take would be that Aileen would have loved anyone who cared about her. You have to wonder if Selby really loved Aileen, or if she was just using her to escape her homophobic family. Either way, it’s a tragic story all around--but still worth watching. Do I recommend the movie? The answer would have to be yes, and no. I think the movie was very well made, but I don’t think depressing movies are for everyone. No matter how you look at it, Wuornos was a murderer. Even though she was abused and neglected as a child, and didn’t have anyone who cared about her, nor did she have a good role model, she was still responsible for her own actions. In the beginning, Monster makes the audience sympathetic towards Aileen…she is so pitiful. When she’s seeking honest employment, even when she fell in love with Selby, I felt myself rooting for her to turn her life around. However, when she started killing all those men, she became a monster and had to be stopped. I prefer feel-good movies, but sometimes you need a downer to put life in perspective. |
 When Love Comes DVD 1998"When Love Comes," an independent film directed by award-winning Garth Maxwell, stars Rena Owen, Dean O’Gorman, Simon Prast, Nancy Brunning, Sophia Hawthorne, and Simon Westaway. It is about a group of friends who muddle through life, hoping to discover who they are and what they really want out of life. The movie encompasses homosexuality, bisexuality, aging, rock music, surviving the entertainment business, drug and alcohol use, prostitution, and above all, the meaning of love and friendship. It takes place in New Zealand and is written by Garth Maxwell, Rex Pilgrim, and Peter Wells. Katie Keen (Rena Owen) is a has-been lounge singer who is trying to figure out what to do with her life now that her career in America seems washed up. She goes home to New Zealand to be with her best friend and confidant, Stephen (Simon Prast), in order to cope with her feelings of loss and insecurity. Katie feels as if her talent has dried up since she is having trouble coming up with new material for a show her boyfriend, Eddie (Simon Westaway), has set up for her. Not only does she have her career to contend with, but she is afraid of commitment and has trouble accepting Eddie’s feelings for her. Mark (Dean O’Gorman) is a mixed up young man with low self-esteem and definite fear of commitment who continuously loses himself in mind-altering substances. When not writing lyrics for his friends Fig (Nancy Brunning), and Sally (Sophia Hawthorne), he hustles. Fig and Sally are trying to get their rock band to take off by promoting their songs. Fig plays drums and Sally writes the music, sings, and plays guitar. Mark is scared when one of his johns, Stephen (Prast), falls for him and confesses his love. Stephen is considerably older but he his smitten by Mark is willing to wait until, or in case, Mark comes around and returns his love. Mark is confused, doesn’t know what he wants, and needs to come to terms with his sexuality. Is he bisexual or gay? He swings both ways having sex with Sally and Stephen, but he claims he doesn’t “feel” anything either way. He keeps himself too numb to feel. Stephen, Katie‘s best friend, supports her and she returns the favor. They share “girl talk” and truly enjoy each other’s company. Stephen is Katie’s biggest fan. Stephen loves Mark, and even if his heart gets broken, he cannot let go of that love. He does, however give Mark time to grow up and figure out what he wants Fig (Brunning) is sort of the manager of the group, she holds them all together. She loves Sally, but allows Sally to have men, especially because Sally uses sex as a bargaining tool to get free studio time. They clearly love each other on many levels. Will Sally and Fig get together? Sally (Hawthorne) knows what she wants and knows just how to get it. She sings, parties, and enjoys life. She and Fig know how to have fun and take life as it comes. They both seem to let the small stuff roll off their backs. Eddie (Westaway) loves Katie and manages her career. He wants more than a business relationship and travels from Los Angeles to Auckland to get what he wants. When Love Comes attracts the audience as positive ions attract negative ions. The first time I watched this film I must admit I thought it was a waste of time, but something about the characters wouldn’t let me press the stop button. The longer I watched, the more intrigued I became with the very flawed yet human individuals looking for love, fame, acceptance, and survival. They drank too much and did copious amounts of drugs, but they weren’t bad people. They were addicted and troubled, but they’re also talented. I wish there was less substance abuse, but I don’t think it would have truly depicted the hard rock scene they were a part of. Many of Mark’s lyrics come to him while he’s “tripping.” I wanted to know what was going to happen to these characters, even if it was just to see Mark end up with Stephen. Katie has a secret pain she doesn’t share with her friends, and I was dying to know what—so I kept watching. I’m not a hard rock fan, but the music grew on me. Some of Mark’s lyrics are too bizarre for my taste, for instance, “Suck the hand that bleeds you…Round baby, round baby, round…,” but they fit the drugged out scene. One of the catchier songs had me singing, “In another year when we are dust. When the big waves have rolled through. Perhaps there’ll be another me. Waiting here for another you.” Not very deep, but Sally and Katie sing it beautifully. Another memorable song, “Brand New Start,” is a love song with great lyrics and vocals. Even now I have the melody and lyrics rolling around in my head. I had to watch this movie a few times in order to appreciate the nuances and each time, my rating went up. I enjoyed this somewhat cultish, weird, independent film. The performances by the five lead actors are remarkable and they’re well cast. My favorite is Dean O’Gorman as Mark. I found him irresistible in an Abercrombie and Finch sort of way, with his shoulder length blond hair parted in the middle, and his open shirts. Mark needed to evolve the most and I rooted for him to find his way. Rena Owen did an excellent job as Katie. I give When Love Comes four stars for originality and direction by Garth Maxwell. |