Movie Review: "Gods and Monsters"
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Whale, a Korean War Veteran, painter, and director of the infamous film's "Frankenstein" and "Bride of Frankenstein," is played by Ian McKellen -- an English actor who is well-known from films including (but are not limited to): "The Hobbit" and "X-Men."
"Whale was a hugely popular filmmaker during his time, his sexuality forever remaining an industry secret," wrote Paul Tatara, in the CNN movie review: "Gods and Monsters' flirts poignantly with death."
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"But, after falling off the Hollywood radar screen in the late '40s, he chose withdrawal, staying holed up in his beautiful Los Angeles home, grinding away the years by painting portraits and chasing the occasional young boy."
A series of strokes result in Whale being heavily medicated, causing him to drift out of the present, into his past. His flashbacks include memories from his childhood, the Korean War, and a past lover, who was also a soldier that Whale constantly longs for.
A series of strokes result in Whale being heavily medicated, causing him to drift out of the present, into his past. His flashbacks include memories from his childhood, the Korean War, and a past lover, who was also a soldier that Whale constantly longs for.
"Critics and gay activists have often interpreted the Frankenstein films as a coded account of Whale's sexuality -- his feeling that he was a misunderstood outsider, a lonely monster," wrote Lloyd Rose in The Washington Post article "James Whale, the Man With a Monster Career."
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Brendan Fraser, a Canadian-American actor known for his roles in some of my favorite childhood favorites: "George of the Jungle," "The Mummy," and "The Mummy Returns," plays the role of Clayton Boone -- a former member of the Military who becomes Whale's gardener, male interest, and muse.
The compassion and empathy Frazer felt towards Whale was definitely one of the most memorable takeaway's for me. A major turning point was towards the end of the film: after posing nude (to be painted) Fraser found himself fighting off Whale. Moments before, Fraser expressed that he was having difficulty breathing in the gas mask Whale insisted he try on, for the painting.
After being sexually assaulted, Fraser tackles Whale onto the ground, emotionally punching him in the face. It definitely seemed as if Fraser was more upset Whale gave him no other choice but to start physically getting violent. "I'm not your monster!" yells Fraser, after being begged by Whale to kill him. Suddenly empathizing with Whale, Fraser put him to sleep in his bed. The next morning he awoke on the couch to the maid searching for Whale, whom they both found him in the pool, dead.
"The film's most indelible image is of Clay walking in the rain, his body swaying stiffly in a sort of Frankenstein dance, his spirit catching what Whale, the faded god, and his monster had caught only fleetingly: pure joy," wrote Peter Travers, In a Rolling Stone review.
Side notes:
"Bill Condon interview: Beauty And The Beast, Twilight, fandom"
The compassion and empathy Frazer felt towards Whale was definitely one of the most memorable takeaway's for me. A major turning point was towards the end of the film: after posing nude (to be painted) Fraser found himself fighting off Whale. Moments before, Fraser expressed that he was having difficulty breathing in the gas mask Whale insisted he try on, for the painting.
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Fraser eventually had a son of his own, and introduced him to the "Frankenstein" films. A touching moment was when Fraser pulled the original Frankenstein sketch from his pocket to show his son he knew the director. This scene definitely showed Fraser didn't carry any ill feelings toward Whale, and that he never forgot the impact he had on his life. On the back of the sketch was a message signed by Whale that read “Clayton … Friend?”
Side notes:
- I watched this film on my Amazon Fire Stick, at home, in my bed, on my television.
- I would definitely say this ties in to the film we watched in class "Hail, Caesar" by showing the darker side of Hollywood and the film industry.
- "Gods and Monsters" is definitely a film I would watch again, and recommend.
At a glance:
"Gods and Monsters" has won various awards, including (but not limited to):
- 1999 Academy Award to Bill Condon for Oscar Best Writing, Screenplay Based on Material Previously Produced or Published
- 1999 Bran Stroker Award to Bill Condon for Screenplay
- 1999 Chicago Film Critics Association Award to Ian McKellen for Best Actor
- 1999 British Independent Film Award to Ian McKellen for Best Actor
Fun Fact:
- Bill Condon is the director of the latest remake of the classic film: "Beauty and the Beast" which is set to release on Friday, March 17. He's also the director of some of my favorite films: "Twilight," "Chicago," and "Dream Girls."
"Bill Condon interview: Beauty And The Beast, Twilight, fandom"
Octavia Spencer does a fantastic job of playing herself (Was this woman born middle aged?) but let's face it we love her anyway. I would love her to be my best friend, she's a hoot. happy death day film Michael Shannon (whom I remember from Take Shelter and Boardwalk Empire) plays a creepy bad guy in a way that makes me never want to have him around for Christmas lunch. Why does he always play someone sexually awkward? I pray we'll never find out.
ReplyDeleteI was most disappointed that unlike Pan's Labyrinth and some of the other films GDT has made it's not set in a fantastical different world. It's basically the 1950s cold war era in USA with no real pretense of being anything but. I was hoping for a magical realism, but other than the creature, there's no otherworldliness to it. devil's candy movie
I am a solid romantic, but I found the plot so saccharine that it made me feel nauseous. There is also a sudden musical number that almost had me running for the aisle, and my sister desperate to see my husband's face (He's allergic to musicals generally). Apart from this light relief, I couldn't wait to get out of there. watch Avengers Infinity War online free
I am pretty alone in this opinion, our party was split between 3 people who loved it, and my husband and I who hated it. Maybe if I hadn't seen other GDT films I would have liked it more. My husband also thought the trailer completely misrepresented what he expected from the film. So maybe we were in the wrong movie. But I think romance lovers won't like the art house element, and art house/GDT fans won't like this film. So I think commercially it will be hard to place. http://moviesbox.live/happy-death-day.html