Monster's Ball (18's)

Plot Summary

Leticia (Halle Berry) is a woman struggling against the odds. Her husband is on death row and her waitress job doesn’t support her and young son. The final eviction notice has been pinned to her door and her “clapped out” car won’t even get her to work.

Hank Grotowski (Billy Bob Thornton) and his son Sonny (Heath Ledger) are prison guards on death row where Leticia’s husband is waiting for execution. Hank has been brought up by a deeply racist father (Peter Boyle) who has tried to instil his hatred for black people into his son and grandson.

After Leticia’s husband is executed she meets Hank, by chance, at the diner where she works and a tentative connection begins…

  Review  

This is a “heavy-going” drama that covers racism, capital punishment and loneliness. It is quite slow and depressing at times with a gritty edge to it. The film takes time to develop the characters and give an insight into their lives. It is the excellent portrayal of real people with real “messed up” lives that makes the film worthwhile and while you won’t be left with a feeling of wellbeing the film does end on a note of optimism. There is hope that people can change their feelings and thinking for the better.

The film is rated 18’s and there are some explicit sex scenes that are graphic and gritty but the scenes are part of the overall story and are included to make a point on the loneliness and despair of the characters.

Halle Berry who plays Leticia won the Best Actress Oscar for her performance and I have to agree that she was excellent. She was able to turn her character into a real flesh and blood person. Billy Bob Thornton also created a credible character by portraying the loneliness and sadness of Hank Grotowski who does not want to end up a bitter lonely old man, like his father. There was a good supporting cast in Peter Boyle and Heath Ledger.

This film won’t appeal to everyone but many will be drawn into the gritty realism of the characters’ world.

Reviewed by Niall Quinn, Premier Movie Reviews 2002

  RATING

4 STARS

RECOMMENDED

 ~ Main Cast ~

Halle Berry is Leticia

Billy Bob Thornton is Hank Grotowski

Peter Boyle is Hank's father

Heath Ledger is Sonny Grotowski

  Director  

Marc Forster

Monsters Ball
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