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Monster's Ball
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Monster's Ball (2001) More at IMDbPro »

Photos (see all 25 | slideshow) Videos (see all 8)
Monster's Ball (2001) -- After a family tragedy, a racist prison guard reexamines his attitudes while falling in love with the African American wife of the last prisoner he executed.
Monster's Ball (2001) -- Hv post
Monster's Ball (2001) -- After a family tragedy, a racist prison guard reexamines his attitudes while falling in love with the African American wife of the last prisoner he executed.
Monster's Ball (2001) -- Sinematurk - Trailer (Flash)

IMDb Holiday Movie Guide

Overview

User Rating:
7.2/10   35,491 votes
MOVIEmeter: ?
Down 11% in popularity this week. See why on IMDbPro.
Director:
Writers (WGA):
Milo Addica (written by) &
Will Rokos (written by)
Contact:
View company contact information for Monster's Ball on IMDbPro.
Release Date:
8 February 2002 (USA) more
Genre:
Tagline:
A lifetime of change can happen in a single moment.
Plot:
After a family tragedy, a racist prison guard reexamines his attitudes while falling in love with the African American wife of the last prisoner he executed. full summary | add synopsis
Plot Keywords:
Awards:
Won Oscar. Another 10 wins & 16 nominations more
NewsDesk:
(159 articles)
Diamond of Hollywood
 (From The Guardian - Film News. 7 December 2009, 2:46 AM, PST)

Berry Blasts Violent Dad, Thanks Teacher At Gala
 (From WENN. 4 December 2009, 5:31 PM, PST)

User Comments:
Halle Berry's shining moment more (504 total)

Cast

  (Cast overview, first billed only)

Billy Bob Thornton ... Hank Grotowski

Halle Berry ... Leticia Musgrove
Taylor Simpson ... Lucille
Gabrielle Witcher ... Betty

Heath Ledger ... Sonny Grotowski

Amber Rules ... Vera

Peter Boyle ... Buck Grotowski
Charles Cowan Jr. ... Willie Cooper
Taylor LaGrange ... Darryl Cooper

Mos Def ... Ryrus Cooper
Anthony Bean ... Dappa Smith
Francine Segal ... Georgia Ann Paynes
John McConnell ... Harvey Shoonmaker

Marcus Lyle Brown ... Phil Huggins

Milo Addica ... Tommy Roulaine
more
Create a character page for: ?

Additional Details

Also Known As:
Le bal du monstre (Canada: French title)
more
MPAA:
Rated R for strong sexual content, language and violence.
Runtime:
111 min | USA:112 min (unrated director's cut)
Country:
Language:
Color:
Aspect Ratio:
2.35 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
Certification:
UK:15 | Iceland:14 | Iceland:16 (video rating) | New Zealand:R16 | Brazil:16 | Argentina:16 | Australia:R | Austria:16 (Steiermark) | Finland:K-15 | France:-12 | Germany:16 | Hong Kong:III | Italy:VM14 | Japan:R-18 | Netherlands:16 | Norway:15 | Peru:18 | Philippines:R-18 | Portugal:M/16 | Singapore:R(A) | South Korea:18 | Spain:18 | Sweden:11 | Switzerland:16 (canton of Geneva) | Switzerland:16 (canton of Vaud) | Switzerland:16 (canton of the Grisons) | USA:NC-17 (original rating) | USA:R (censored version) | Canada:18A (Alberta/British Columbia) | Canada:16+ (Quebec) | Canada:R (Manitoba/Ontario) | Canada:18 (Nova Scotia)
Filming Locations:

Fun Stuff

Trivia:
Angela Bassett purportedly turned down the role of Leticia, stating "I wasn't going to be a prostitute on film..." However, Lions Gate Production President Michael Paseornek and the film's producer Lee Daniels rebut Bassett stating that she was never even offered the role, and was already committed to another film. more
Goofs:
Continuity: During the first love scene, Leticia's panties jump around improbably between shots. more
Quotes:
Hank Grotowski: I wanna take care of you.
Leticia Musgrove: Good. Cuz' I need to be taken care of.
more
Movie Connections:
Referenced in Die Another Day: From Script to Screen (2002) (V) more
Soundtrack:
Your Love Is My Rest more

FAQ

What are the differences between the R-Rated version and the Unrated Version?
more
76 out of 94 people found the following comment useful.
Halle Berry's shining moment, 27 July 2002
9/10
Author: FlickJunkie-2 from Atlanta, GA

Independent filmmaking is alive and well and evident in Monster's Ball. This film had a minuscule $4 million budget, a terrific script and a director not afraid to take some risks. Billy Bob Thornton and Halle Berry practically donated their time they were paid so little. The result is a powerful and disturbing film that walked off with a boatload of awards, not the least of which was a best actress Oscar for Berry.

Director Marc Forster conjures a forceful presentation with stark sets, next to nothing in the way of props and other set decoration, and a non existent soundtrack. Forster does it with innovative use of the camera, sharp editing and most importantly excellent actor direction. Forster could have done better at character development and the ending is nebulous and unsatisfying, but these shortcomings can be partially forgiven for the films many assets.

This is an actors' showcase, with outstanding performances all around. Heath Ledger makes a short but intense appearance as the son that Hank (Billy Bob Thornton) despises. Ledger pumps the character full of repressed anger and disappointment, simultaneously resenting him and seeking his father's approval. Peter Boyle is despicable as Hank's bigoted and self centered father. Billy Bob Thornton delivers his best performance since `Sling Blade' with a complex character torn between his prejudices and his attraction to Leticia (Halle Berry).

Of course the big story here is Halle Berry. Berry shows once again that she is not just another pretty face. I first took serious notice of her after seeing her performance in `Introducing Dorothy Dandridge', a little seen TV movie in which she won both a Golden Globe and an Emmy. After that marvelous dramatic performance, I was surprised that she couldn't land roles any better than `Swordfish' and `X-Men', which tapped nothing more substantial than her looks.

In this film, Berry is sexy and alluring, but these are only incidental attributes. She displays a full range of emotions from vibrant elation and unbridled passion, to utter despondency. She practically rips her heart out and throws it at the camera. She can convey volumes with a single look, or come completely unglued with equal impact. Her Oscar for this performance was richly deserved and had nothing to do with her race as so many have rationalized. She just flat out won it going away. As good as Nicole Kidman was in `Moulin Rouge', it wasn't even close.

This is an excellent film that is worth seeing for the acting alone. I rated it a 9/10. It is a compelling and deeply disturbing drama that serious film lovers will surely enjoy.

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Message Boards

Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for Monster's Ball (2001)
Recent Posts (updated daily)User
Sex Scene chrisuis
Where was this movie shot? Scarface8890
Hank and Leticia. Scarface8890
Underrated movie. Scarface8890
The sex scene wasn't offensive in my opinion. Scarface8890
What Buck said to Leticia crypticbeauty102
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