JLRVancouver This is NOT a 'bio-pic' of the legendary director James Whale, but rather a fictional imagining (i.e. based on a novel) of the days leading up to his death. Seen as such, "Gods and Monsters" spins an interesting, if somewhat implausible, story, with Ian McKellen outstanding in the role of Whale. While there are some 'flashbacks' to earlier events in the director's life (e.g. fighting in the trenches, directing his classic "Bride of Frankenstein"), most of the film takes place in the late-'50s, and focuses on the relationship between Whale (who was openly gay) and his gardener Clay Boone, a fictional character played by a very buff Brendan Fraser. Whale had suffered a series of strokes and was on medications for depression, so some of the film plays out in his mind as he begins to see long dead friends from his youth or places himself (and Boone) into scenes from his films. McKellen plays the role of an old reprobate to the hilt, flirting with the very straight Boone, shocking and disappointing his staid and religious housekeeper (an accented Lynn Redgrave), flaunting Boone at a posh garden party given by fellow director George Cukor in honour of a visiting Princess Margret, and eventually making aggressive sexual overtures to the shocked ex-Marine. The core of the story is the nature of the friendship between the two desperate men, and Whale's darker reasons for cultivating it (leading to his violent assault on Boone). I would have preferred to see more re-creations of his glory days as a director but never-the-less enjoyed the film.

Kirpianuscus first for each performance from the lead roles, especially for Brendan Fraser. than, for the force of story. not the least, for splendid job of Lynn Redgrave. a film who use biographic details for a subtle reflection about great universal themes. the flash backs, the dialogues, the details and the precise portrait of humanity are the great virtues of a magnificent trip in essence of fears, illusions, expectations , shadows of the past. to escape from yourself - that is the axis of a film who gives few interesting answers to the old problem of meaning of life. a film about importance of truth. and about role of a meeting. about different forms of confession and legacy. delicate and powerful. poetic in bitter form. and, so, convincing. a director, an old lady and a young gardener.crumbs of past. as bricks from a strange bridge between past and present.

itamarscomix The plot summary for Gods and Monsters states that it follows the last days of horror director James Whale, but it shouldn't be thought of as a biopic; it manages to avoid almost every pitfall suffered by most movies of that genre, except for one - predictability. The film is very predictable every step of the way, even if you know absolutely nothing about Whale's life or death, you can tell very early on exactly how it's going to end. It doesn't matter, though, because Gods and Monsters isn't about the story; it's an art-house piece and a character study, an exploration of a complex personality and, above all, a remarkably beautiful film.Like any biographical film, Gods and Monsters relies heavily on one powerful lead actor; Ian McKellen gives one of the best performances of his career as James Whale, with whom he clearly felt a certain bond. McKellen puts his whole into the film and creates real sympathy for Whale. Fantastic as he is, though, it's not a one man show; gorgeous editing that manages to organically combine flashbacks with loving references to Whale's own early films, creates a strong sense of atmosphere that Whale himself would have been proud of. Gods and Monsters is a natural companion piece to Ed Wood and Shadow of the Vampire, but it's by far the most brooding, subtle, thought-provoking one of the trio. As for supporting cast - Lynn Redgrave is fantastic in a small but memorable part as Whale's maid; Brendan Fraser, on the other hand, plays a very generic character, mostly there as an avatar for the viewer, and though his performance is decent, it's not by any means impressive, and he gets a little too much screen time, taking the film down just a notch from masterpiece status.

evanston_dad Ian McKellen gives a triumphant performance as film director James Whale in this biopic about Whale's later years.The film focuses specifically on Whale's mental and emotional struggles with his own homosexuality and his obsession with a young hunk of beefcake, played by Brendan Fraser. But the most interesting part of the movie for me were the glimpses of old Hollywood peppered throughout, including appearances by George Cukor and Elsa Lanchester, and the incorporation of Whale's best-known film, "Frankenstein."Director Bill Condon won an Oscar for the film's screenplay, and McKellen and Lynn Redgrave, who makes much of a teensy-tiny role as Whale's maid, received nominations.Grade: A