Anyone else blown away by Charlize Theron in Monster?

[Bill of Rights]

I've read everything possible: interviews, critiques, bloggers comments. Her performance was magnificent, and I am looking forward to when she wins the Oscar tomorrow night.

http://www.suntimes.com/output/ebert1/wkp-news-monster09f.html

Roger Ebert:

What Charlize Theron achieves in Patty Jenkins' "Monster" isn't a performance but an embodiment. With courage, art and charity, she empathizes with Aileen Wuornos, a damaged woman who committed seven murders. She does not excuse the murders. She simply asks that we witness the woman's final desperate attempt to be a better person than her fate intended.

I confess that I walked into the screening not knowing who the star was, and that I did not recognize Charlize Theron until I read her name in the closing credits. Not many others will have that surprise; she was just honored as best actress of the year by the National Society of Film Critics. I didn't recognize her -- but more to the point, I hardly tried, because the performance is so focused and intense that it becomes a fact of life.

Aileen is adamant that she's had no lesbian experience, and indeed her sordid life as a bottom-rung sex worker has left her with no taste for sex at all. There is a stunning scene when the two women connect with raw sexual energy.

This is one of the greatest performances in the history of the cinema.

[harper]

1. Saw the movie this afternoon

I wouldn't say I was obsessed, but I was blown away by Charlize Theron's performance. It was truly brilliant.

I had never paid too much attention to Charlize Theron. I tend to regard all these tall beautiful young women as pretty much interchangeable and not very interesting to watch. But...I'll see all her movies from now on. She was amazing.

[Bill of Rights]

2. You stated it better

I changed my title. Thanks.

[IconoclastIlene]

3. I saw a clip from the film.

When she goes totally ape in the diner; I want to see it but I'm too afraid just yet. Bet she gets the Oscar!!!!

[harper]

6. Please go see it.

The depiction of the reality of a prostitute's life was harrowing. We've all seen so much Pretty Women crap that we forget how truly degrading and dangerous that kind of life is.

This character wasn't frolicking in a 5 star hotel with Richard Gere...she was performing oral sex on whoever would give her ten dollars and she hated it. She was putting herself in situations where she was at the mercy of whoever picked her up for sex and she hated that.

The scene where she murdered her first victim was one of the most horrifying things I've ever seen, and one of the most powerful acting performances ever.

As I said earlier...I usually ignore the interchangeable crop of tall beautiful movie stars...but Charlize Theron moved out of that status and showed herself to be a brilliant actor in this movie.

[IconoclastIlene]

13. Yeah, Gere is okay...but reality of it all

Is sordid as hell..next week, I might be able to see it; but definitely am planning to see it.

[madrchsod]

4. she won best actress at

the ifp awards..

[WannaJumpMyScooter]

5. If only I could get blown

away by Charlize...

Oh man, oh man.

[Bill of Rights]

7. Transformation pics

Here's a really good link about the film. Scroll 1/2 way down to see photos of:

1. Aileen Wournos
2. Charlize Theron as Aileen Wournos
3. Charlize Theron as Supermodel.

http://romanticmovies.about.com/gi/dynamic/offsite.htm?site=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.monsterfilm.com%2F


edit: added link

[Dover]

8. I agree. I almost didn't go....so glad I did!

I was equally as impressed with the two actresses who played in Boys Don't Cry. All very natural embodiments of their characters.

[Bill of Rights]

9. Boys Don't Cry and Monsters

have similarities:

1. Terrific acting - Oscars?
2. Psychic torture
3. Main character is non-heterosexual woman
4. Audience filled with sympathy/empathy

[mvd]

10. She's so pretty that she still didn't look ragged enough..

Even with all of that. But her performance looks amazing and I think she's a future great. Might even rent the movie when it comes out.

[Bill of Rights]

11. Favorites

Favorite scenes: the vulnerability Charlize Theron shows when she is sitting on the bed in her bath towel and finally gets up the guts to verbalize her feelings to Selby. Incredible.
Also, the scene where she is sitting on the couch rationalizing to Selby why she kills. Absolutely Perfect.

See this movie.

A word of warning though: this movie stayed with me for DAYS. Be prepared to think about it for a while. It draws you in and doesn't let go. I was not watching a movie, I was experiencing a life.

[Lindsey]

12. Without question this was the best performance I've ever seen

by an actor or actress in my life (and I'm a movie fanatic who's seen many, many films). Ebert worded it beautifully, he said something like it was the finest performance in the history of cinema and her performance felt like it was channeled. What more can I say... her performance was simpley brillant.

[snobird]

14. Sat in Front Row..

and was blown away. Powerful performances by both actresses..Dynamic, real... awesome :toast: