Review of Gods and Monsters (1998) by Tristan G — 10 Mar 2009

James Whale: "My life is a game of strip poker. Want to play?".

The last days of Frankenstein director James Whale are explored.

REVIEW.

Gods & Monsters is a fascinating , sprawl of epic proportions that lurks tantalizingly in the failing mind of its main character. We get the sense that we've walked in on the last act of a great play and wonder what the rest was like.

Aging gay Hollywood director seeks engaging relationship with somewhat dense gardener. I will not bore you with the details. Sir Ian's acting is top drawer as is the ever wonderful Redgrave as the doting housekeeper. Frasier is batting a little out of his league but is serviceable as the beefcake "love interest." The writing is excellent and brings to life some wonderful character studies. It holds up until the next to last scene which I saw as a bit awkward and forced. Such an elegant script could have found a more plausible circumstance to achieve the desired result.

So...what is the film about? Well, it's about being gay and not being gay; about being lonely when surrounded by people who supposedly love you; about giving it all up while still trying to hold on. While most epics spend hours trying to resolve these types of issues, Gods & Monsters is content to show us that such issues exist without resolution. It's an epic in a box...and is a better film for it.