The buzz for this film is electric. It's based on the true story of "America's first female serial killer" Aileen Wuornos. It is a low-budget independent film from a first time feature director Patty Jenkins. If you haven't heard of it yet, you will. The main reason for this is Charlize Theron (CIDER HOUSE RULES). She plays Wuornos in a performance that is mesmerizing and brutally real. If she does not win the Oscar, they should discontinue the award forever.
Many people say they didn't even know it was she. With make-up and adding some 20 pounds, the slim, blonde model transformed into a trailer trash female straight from central casting at THE JERRY SPRINGER SHOW. A lot of people didn't think she had a performance like this in her from her past work as "the girlfriend" -- they just weren't paying attention. If you watch her performances as the "girlfriend," they are all different. She truly never gives the same performance twice. Check out her performance in THE DEVIL'S ADVOCATE to see some of what she can do. Theron embodies Wuornos in everyway. Watch her eyes – she is the character.
The story starts out when Wuornos was at rock bottom (pre-murders rock bottom). With only five dollars left to her name, she was going to kill herself after she had spend it, but instead she meets Selby (Christina Ricci, ADDAMS FAMILY) in a gay bar. Selby was really named Tyria Moore, but the filmmakers changed the name for, what I can only guess is, legal reasons. Aileen wasn't gay. However, she was so sick of men that finding anyone, who at least gave her the time of day, was worth switching teams for. This relationship was a saving grace for Aileen from the torment of a terribly unfair life. At one point she tries to go straight and stop hookering, but receives only ridicule. Her first murder was self-defense clearly, but each progressive murder was a violent out lash at all the pain and hate she had inside. Her last victim is the most heart wrenching because he was a good man who just choose to help the wrong person.
Aside from the astonishing performance by Theron, I have to mention the stellar writing and directing job by Jenkins. The script seems like it’s a simple chronicling of the event, but underneath is a subtle commentary on who society should call "monsters." A scene toward the end between Selby and her aunt Donna (Annie Corley, SEABISCUIT) is the key to understanding the film's overall subtext.
Even more so than the solid DAHMER, this film without bleeding-heart propaganda sells the idea that we should hate the sin not the sinner. This is a remarkable cinematic experience that is harrowing and truthful. The tragedy in the film is not just the senseless deaths that cannot be excused, but also that society help attribute in so many ways to the creation of killers and does nothing to stop them before things turn bloody.
Rick DeMott
Animation World Network
Creator of Rick's Flicks Picks
