Review: Monster (2003)

People in the Movie: Charlize Theron (The Devil's Advocate, Prometheus, Hancock); Christina Ricci (Prozac Nation, Sleepy Hollow, Black Snake Moan)
Director: Patty Jenkins
Pigeonhole: Drama / True Crime

Very Basics: Monster is a semi-biographical and somewhat sympathetic look at the serial killer Aileen Wuornos.  The film focuses primarily on Wuornos' (Theron) romantic relationship with Selby Wall (Ricci); the murders that Wuornos eventually commits; and her subsequent conviction and death sentence. 
The film, writer/director, and actors were nominated for and rightfully won multiple awards for Monster.

Recommendation: I highly recommend seeing this one- the performances, direction, and production are all top shelf.  Just looking at pictures or news clips of Wuornos, then seeing Theron's portrayal, is really quite chilling noticing the similarites.  I consider this one of the best films of the 2000's. 
I will note that the subject matter is very dark, so caution is warranted.  'R' rating is for violence, rape, and language.

My Thoughts:  Monster begins with Aileen, who is a prostitute, moving to Florida.  She meets Selby in a bar, and after some initial hesitation on Selby's part, the two become romantically involved.  Their bond and passion are both very strong, but Aileen and Selby have no place to live, and no steady income, which causes some strain.
Aileen continues to pick up men, but is soon brutalized by a "john" and she ends up killing him in self-defense as his attack progressed.  After this incident she wants to give up prostitution altogether so she can make a better life for her and Selby, but sadly finds that with her prior criminal record and lack of usable skills, she cannot find legitimate work.  Aileen decides to go back to prostitution, but now with the intent of robbing and killing the potential victims.  We see them spend the stolen money so the two can go out and enjoy themselves, although Selby is naive as to where the money is coming from.
Selby later reads in the newspaper about some of the murders and begins to suspect Aileen.  They have a fight and Selby leaves to go back to her family in Ohio.  The police close in and arrest Aileen, and while having one last phone conversation with Selby, Aileen says that she acted alone to protect Selby from prosecution.  Selby later has to testify against Aileen, for which she sentenced to death for the murders. 

Monster falls into my "once and done" category.  It is an extremely well done movie, but it is also very depressing, maybe even more so because of the portrayal of real events and people.  As I noted above, Wuornos is portrayed sympathetically.  She has mental issues that go back to childhood physical and sexual abuse, and has been a prostitute since she was a young teen to make the proverbial "ends meet".  We see that the first murder is an act of self-defense, and that her subsequent murders were not to satisfy some need to kill, but more out of her desperate desire to maintain a source of income for her and her girlfriend.  That did not make killing "right", and Jenkins does not portray it that way - but it illustrated that Wuornos seemed to be stuck in a cycle of poverty and violence that she was never able to break free from.  I will leave anyone to their own opinions about whether or not Aileen Wuornos was worthy of our sympathies, as I imagine any of her victim's friends and family could have a different take.
The tone and look of the film feels "authentic", nothing is glamorized - from the dive bars, to the costumes, to the scenes and supporting actors.  The story and ending are in no way "Hollywood", and we are left to ponder whether any real justice was served here for anyone, even as the verdict is doled out.  There are many social issues that go beyond the movie and reality behind this story.  I think Patty Jenkins was able to capture this in her direction, and Theron & Ricci were able to give us a glimpse of a woman's life beyond her terrible criminal acts. 

More:
- An item of note (or distinction) - Selby Wall is based on Wuornos' real lover Tyria Moore, who she had been involved with for several years before the murders began.  The movie has Aileen meeting Selby and the murders taking place close together.  Also, Moore may have been involved in at least 1 or more of the real murders with Wuornos - the two were seen disposing of a victim's car together.
- The soundtrack, which was supervised by Steve Perry from Journey, was excellent.
- Aileen Wuornos killed 7 men, and received 6 death sentences - one man's body was never found.