Monster

MPAA Rating: R

Entertainment: +2 1/2

Content: -3 1/2

Monster is the disturbing story of a woman who, through a series of tragic choices and circumstances, succumbs to bitter hopelessness. Its the true-life crime/horror story of Aileen Wuornos (Charlize Theron) sexually abused as a child, a prostitute by age 13 and executed in 2002 for murdering six men. While despairing, she seriously contemplates suicide. But then she meets Selby (Christina Ricci) after mistakenly entering a gay bar and finds new hope. Though initially opposed to a lesbian relationship, Aileen takes a liking to Selby, allowing their friendship to develop into something sexual. She also continues hooking as a way to support herself and her new girlfriend. But after Aileen is brutally raped and nearly murdered by one of her clients, she begins killing whomever she seduces first in self-defense but later in cold blood. Slowly, her life, her relationship and her hope begin to decay again.

Charlize Theron recently won a Golden Globe and there are rumblings of Oscar for her masterful portrayal of the homeless, helpless prostitute. She pulls off the stereotypical appearance and mannerisms while simultaneously shattering them by portraying a real person with real needs, hopes and dreams. Though realistic and heart-wrenching in many ways, Monster also sends unbiblical messages about homosexuality and life. Homosexuality is portrayed as a positive and acceptable lifestyle, and homosexuals are presented as outcasts searching for love while being oppressed by Christian bigots. In addition, the film adopts a fatalistic approach to life that suggests people are the product of their genetics and experiences alone and have no reason for hope. Christian anthropology affirms the effects of these but appeals to Gods gracious work in our lives and the hope that we have in Christ. If you need more reasons to avoid it, Monster contains brutal sexual abuse, homosexuality and a load of objectionable language.

Preview Reviewer: Shaun Daugherty
Distributor: Newmarket

Summary
The following categories contain objective listings of film content which contribute to the subjective numeric Content ratings posted to the left and on the Home page.

Crude Language: None

Obscene Language: Many (187+) times moderate (screw 1, suck 3, other 2); strong (f-word 140+, s-word 38, finger gesture 2, other 1)

Profanity: Several (6) times moderate (OMG 1, G 1); strong (GD 1, J 1, JC 2)

Violence: Many times mild (man shoves woman out of his car, woman throws table and shoves man, women yell and struggle, car wreck with property damage and minor injuries); moderate (woman shoots a man who attempts to kill her, woman shoots and kills several men who attempt to solicit sex); strong (man sexually abuses woman, woman shoots and kills a man in cold blood as he pleads for his life)

Sex: Several times mild (several times a prostitute gets into a car with implied sexual activity, frequent unshown but implied prostitution and sex acts); moderate (woman stimulates man with her hand below line of sight); strong (two women in bed with motions and nudity)

Nudity: Few times mild (women in underwear); moderate (woman looks at herself in mirror with breasts exposed, womans breasts exposed during sexual encounter)

Sexual Dialogue/Gesture: Many times mild (prostitute attempts to seduce or proposition men with innuendo); moderate (numerous references to sexuality, intercourse and unconventional sex); strong (numerous frank discussions of sexual acts and prostitution)

Drugs: Several times mild (frequent moderate alcohol use in several scenes); moderate (two women drink all night at bar, woman at bar gets drunk and staggers around)

Other: Portrayal of prostitution, themes of vengeance and hopelessness, discussion of the presence of evil in the world, portrayal of Christians as closed-minded bigots

Running Time: 109 minutes.
Intended Audience: Mature Adults

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