Review of Gods and Monsters (1998) by Adam R — 20 Dec 2008

A good drama with magnificent performances.

"Gods and Monsters" retells the story of film director James Whale's (Ian McKellen) last days alive. Whale, who directed films such as "Frankenstein" and "Show Boat," found himself unemployed and forgotten after studio politicking, box office bombs, and his open homosexuality made him a pariah. After suffering a string of strokes, Whale finds his mind, as well as his career slipping away from him.

However, in his new groundskeeper Clay Boon, Whale finds a kindred spirit with whom he can share fragments of his fading memory.

"Monsters" does not have much of a plot to speak of: it is effectively a character study of Whale and, to a lesser extent, Boon. Both men are complex, and both actors fulfill them solidly, with McKellen shining in bringing Whale's brilliant but tormented artist to vivid, sympathetic life. Fraser also does an exceptional job playing Boon, who could have easily devolved into a mere foil for the more dynamic Whale.

The undercurrent of homoeroticism - which Whale welcomes and perpetuates while Boon reviles and rails against - is kept nicely in check, setting up a necessary conflict between the leads while not overtaking their relationship.

Though McKellen is great in this, it is Lynn Redgrave who does the best job here as Whale's protective, fastidious longtime servant Hanna, who brings what could be called the view of an educated outsider's perspective on the fallen filmmaker: a decent man who is overtaken by one sordid vice.