Film Roar

Monster's Ball (2001)

I had read critical praise for the Billy Bob Thornton / Halle Berry drama Monster's Ball (2001) but did not make any effort to see it because the story did not seem very interesting. When I saw a copy sitting at my local library I decided to give it a try, and was quite glad that I did. The story is pretty much as the reviews state it: A racist prison guard falls in love with the (black) wife of a man he has executed shortly after his son commits suicide. What makes the movie interesting is not the story but the characters in the story. Both Thornton and Berry are in top form and nail their characters. There are scenes of deep release as well as desperately withheld and repressed emotion that show off the talent of the actors as well as director Marc Forster. Monster's Ball is a movie about people dealing with loss and pain, and as such can be a bit painful to watch so don't rent a copy if you want a feel good evening. I do recommend it though to anyone interested in good acting backed by a good script.