Arts & Entertainment
 

Theron beautifies 'Monster's beast

By Geronimo Rodriguez
Senior staff writer

Just when the art of method acting looked to be out of fashion, Charlize Theron charges onto the screen with Monster, creating one of the most intriguing characters in recent memory.

Such a metamorphosis hasn't been seen since Robert De Niro grew a gut and added some putty to his nose for Raging Bull. But it isn't the weight gain or the weather-beaten face that gives Theron power in the role of Aileen "Lee" Wuornos. It's more about the way Theron carries herself that sells the role, one that won't soon be forgotten, especially when compared to other female performances.
 

Unlike Halle Berry's award-winning turn in Monster's Ball, in which Berry shines in a few scenes, Theron impresses throughout the film. In other words, this isn't a fluke performance.

Her effort might make some remember Hilary Swank's Boys Don't Cry, but Theron does much more with Patty Jenkins' material.

Jenkins, who makes her writing and directing debut, also took on the difficult task of telling the true story of a prostitute who, after being raped by one of her customers, kills seven would-be rapists with their pants down during the 1980s. She was found guilty in 1990 and executed in 2002. So much for a happy ending.

Jenkins begins the film with Wuornos realizing that her dream of becoming the next Marilyn Monroe isn't going to come true, and how becoming a trucker's fantasy isn't the way to live either. Before this moment -- what might be considered a breakthrough in a prostitute's life -- Wuornos spends her days hooking on Florida highways for beer money. Then she meets another outcast in Selby (Christina Ricci). A love story blooms once Selby, a confused, selfish character, locks lips with Wuornos -- all this despite the fact audiences know Wuornos will soon be stripped of everything she has. What else do you expect to happen to a woman who killed seven men?

But Jenkins compels the audience to retry Wuornos' case, showing a vengeful (and later, a sorrowful) hooker-turned-killer. Although it works for the most part, Jenkins should expect some to show no pity for a woman living in the belly of hell. Since this is after the fact, it's obvious Jenkins is using Wuornos' story to examine a life gone bad. But instead of using the orange jumpsuit to sway the jury, she expounds on Wuornos' relationship with Selby, which came a few years too late.

The bottom line is that Jenkins and Theron succeed with every choice they make. And if Wuornos looks like life beat the hell out of her -- it did.

Monster

Rated: R

Starring: Charlize Theron, Christina Ricci

Newmarket Film Group

The verdict: Uhh ... not guilty?

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