Cast:

James Whale - Sir Ian McKellen
Clay Boone - Brendan Fraser
Hanna - Lynn Redgrave

Director: Bill Condon

Most of us have monsters in our closets: events, or memories in our past that we are not proud of, but must deal with nonetheless. Sometimes, it is the way we deal with these monsters that shape who we are, and become later in life. Gods and Monsters is a character study of one such man. It is a slow, but deliberate look at the twilight of a great man attempting to come to terms with his life.

It tells the story of director James Whale, who was most well-known for directing Frankenstein, and Bride of Frankenstein. He made several other movies before retreating from the business completely amid rumors of homosexuality. The movie picks up about 10 years into his self-imposed seclusion. After he is diagnosed with a brain disorder, he grasps to hang on to any memory he can, reliving some of his pleasures, but more of his pain. These flashbacks are fueled on by a current obsession with a hunky lawnboy (Fraser), who bears more than a passing resemblance to his greatest masterpiece: the Frankenstein monster.

At first, the nature of the infatuation is sexual for Whale, and curiousity for Boone. But as it develops, the two differing paths come closer together. These are two people at different points in their life, trying to find some sense and order to things. Boone attempts to make something of his life after a series of failures, while Whale is grasping for one last happy memory to go out on.

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Those true horror fans will catch the slow and slight parallel of the story to the Frankenstein movies, by Whale’s attempt to transform Boone into his image of perfection. Fraser shows a dramatic talent only heretofore hinted at in School Ties. He has a quiet, but powerful presence, mixing innocence, charm, appeal and emotion. Redgrave also shines here, as the put-upon housekeeper who never approves of Whale’s lifestyle but has a sense of loyalty and love for this man. This movie belongs to McKellen. He portrays Whale as a man who is not ashamed of who he is, but is haunted by the repercussions and torment that plagued him because of it. His Oscar nomination is more than well deserved here. He is onscreen nearly the entire movie, and has a calm, quiet screen presence that is truly captivating and hypnotic to watch.

All in all, I enjoyed Gods and Monsters for what it was. An intensely smart film, showing again that a plot is not necessarily required if you write real characters and give them smart things to say. It is the story of a man who hasnt so much as lived, as survived. It’s lacking in plot and story, but it still draws you in by letting you know each of the characters and care about them, who they are, and why they are that way. The ending gains emotional power and wallop from these well-painted characters. This one requires some patience, and a long attention span, but if you let this movie inside you, it will get to you. If it’s in a theater, see it there, if not, catch as soon as the video is out. ($$$ of $$$$)

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You can also see my reviews at the Online Film Critics Society, of which I am a proud member.