MONSTER (2003)
Charlize Theron completely deserved that Oscar. I hadn't seen this film till last night, but it's insanely good. Most of the credit goes to Theron for her heartbreaking performance and to writer/director Patty Jenkins for her research and sympathetic approach to the story. Based on the true story of serial killer Aileen Wuornos, the film follows Aileen's relationship with Selby, a younger woman, and her transition from prostitute to murderer. Her situation spirals once the murders become a habit, an easier way to make money, and end her relationship, eventually landing her on death row. Wuornos' actions aren't condoned, but her decision making process is shown as clearly as possible; Jenkins portrays her as no heartless killer, but a trapped, forsaken woman fighting for survival. This is a painful, difficult movie to watch, but extremely worthwhile as a character piece.
9 out of 10.
6.10.2007
Review: Flesh and Blood
Flesh and Blood- Michael Cunningham
I read The Hours last summer and was drawn to Cunningham's characters and attention to human emotion and experience; life as a series of reactions to commonplace situations. Everything is more complicated than it seems. This is apparent in his second novel, Flesh and Blood. He chronicles generations of the Stassos family, each chapter a year, but focuses like a selective memory on specific important moments. The beauty of his writing is his characters' weaknesses, their flaws and frustrations. The difficulties of family life down the line are varied but inexplicably identical at heart; selfishness and infidelity are human and difficult to resist. Cunningham captures these, as well as a host of smaller trials, each one a personal struggle. This theme is saddening, but reassuring in its familiarity. Everyone, at some point, is forced to create a facade of someone who is OK. This is a story of those who live behind that facade.
I read The Hours last summer and was drawn to Cunningham's characters and attention to human emotion and experience; life as a series of reactions to commonplace situations. Everything is more complicated than it seems. This is apparent in his second novel, Flesh and Blood. He chronicles generations of the Stassos family, each chapter a year, but focuses like a selective memory on specific important moments. The beauty of his writing is his characters' weaknesses, their flaws and frustrations. The difficulties of family life down the line are varied but inexplicably identical at heart; selfishness and infidelity are human and difficult to resist. Cunningham captures these, as well as a host of smaller trials, each one a personal struggle. This theme is saddening, but reassuring in its familiarity. Everyone, at some point, is forced to create a facade of someone who is OK. This is a story of those who live behind that facade.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
