FILM - JANUARY 28, 2004

Theron transformed in ‘Monster’

When I saw the world premiere of this film at the Independent Film Project in Chicago, I did not know who was cast in the leading role. After watching the incredible, flinching-in-your-seat portrayal of Aileen Wournos — the prostitute-turned-serial killer – for about 10 minutes, I leaned over to my neighbor and asked who the actress was. I was shocked to find out it was Charlize Theron. How could one of the most beautiful actresses in the world be transformed so completely – stringy, greasy hair; protruding teeth; 30 extra pounds and dark contacts that changed her physically. And she had the amazing ability to capture Aileen’s herky-jerky mannerisms, rage, despair, false cockiness and desperation for love. It shouldn’t have been a surprise that Theron won a Golden Globe for this role. (She captures Wournos perfectly. I had seen the documentary, “Aileen: the Life and Death of a Serial Killer,” by Nick Broomfield and Joan Churchill at the Toronto Film Festival. The only thing she couldn’t change was her height; she is much taller.) Theron gives a fearless performance that makes the audience empathetic for this “monster” who commits the ultimate crime.

Praise also has to go to first-time writer-director Patty Jenkins for her straightforward directing and for having the insight to cast Theron. (I asked Jenkins how she could ever have thought of Theron in the role. She replied that she had fallen asleep with the television on and when she suddenly woke up from dreaming about casting the role, Theron was on the TV in “The Devil’s Advocate.” That sealed her commitment to send the script to her.)

The only flaw of the film is that Christina Ricci’s role as Wournos’ whiny, spoiled, cloying lover was lacking in spots.

Many comparisons can be made between this film and the amazing “Boys Don’t Cry” because both are by first-time female directors, and portray a woman in the substrata of the American dream. Both are difficult to watch, but very compelling.

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This column will appear weekly, with full reviews of art films as they come to town.