Gods and Monsters
Director: Bill Condon
Starring: Sir Ian McKellen, Brendan Fraser, Lynn Redgrave,
Lolita Davidovich
In
1957 retired director James Whale was found drowned in his swimming
pool. His open homosexuality and mysterious circumstances surrounding
his death both contributed to an ongoing interest in his sudden
death. Director and screen writer Bill Condon has created a fictional
film based on Whale’s last days.
Condon focuses his story on Whale’s friendship with his hulky but none too smart groundsman Clayton Boon, played superbly by Brendan Fraser (The Mummy, Encino Man, George of the Jungle). Whale and Boon become friends when Whale, obviously attracted to the physically gorgeous (am I showing a personal bias here?) groundsman and asks him to sit for a portrait. Boon is unassuming and easygoing and Whale begins to share his memories and observations of his past. As the film progresses Whale’s health gets worse, he was suffering from an inoperable brain tumor. His past begins to haunt him more and more. Superbly presented flashback scenes take us along with whale into his often nightmarish past.
James
Whale’s most memorable films, Frankenstein and The Bride of Frankenstein
are used by Condon as reflections of Whale’s life. The noble monster
begins to be identified with Boon in both the fantasy sequences
and real life. Through Boon and his memories Whale begins to come
to terms with the ghosts from his past. By the same token, the experience
of knowing Whale helps Boon begin to look at his life and come to
terms with his biggest disappointment.
Several of James Whale’s paintings were used in the film for added authenticity. Many of the actors bear a striking resemblance to the person they are portraying, especially during the flashback scenes to the filming of the Bride of Frankenstein, where actual shots from the film are blended with shots of the actors behind the scenes or between takes.
Also worthy of a mention it the performance of Lynn Redgrave as Whale’s protective, but extremely disapproving housemaid. Whale is played by Sir Ian McKellen wonderfully, well deserving his Oscar nomination for best actor.
In short, Gods and Monsters is a fine film that is wonderfully acted by its ensemble cast.
