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Monster's Ball (2001)
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Overview
User Rating:
Release Date:
8 February 2002 (USA) moreTagline:
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 synopsisAwards:
Won Oscar. Another 10 wins & 16 nominations moreNewsDesk:
(126 articles)
134 New Names Invited to Join the Academy (From Rope Of Silicon. 1 July 2009, 1:08 AM, PDT)
"World War Z" Feature Hits A Delay?
(From OhMyGore. 20 June 2009, 8:40 AM, PDT)
User Comments:
Halle Berry's shining moment moreCast
(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 |
Additional Details
MPAA:
Rated R for strong sexual content, language and violence.Parents Guide:
View content advisory for parentsRuntime:
111 min | USA:112 min (unrated director's cut)Language:
EnglishColor:
ColorAspect Ratio:
2.35 : 1 moreCertification:
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)Fun Stuff
Trivia:
As part of his research for the film, director Marc Forster actually sat in an electric chair and was horrified to see the nail marks that the electrocuted prisoners had involuntarily scratched into the wood. moreGoofs:
Audio/visual unsynchronized: Right before Leticia runs out of the house after meeting Buck, there is a shot in which Buck is speaking but his lips are not moving. moreQuotes:
Buck Grotowski: Who are you?Leticia Musgrove: Um...
Buck Grotowski: You just walked in my house.
Leticia Musgrove: My bad. I thought...
Buck Grotowski: Hank? You lookin' for Hank?
Leticia Musgrove: Yes. Is he here?
Buck Grotowski: Who are you?
Leticia Musgrove: My name is Leticia Musgrove... and, uh... me and Hank is, uh... friends.
Buck Grotowski: Musgrove? Please, little darlin', have you got a cigarette?
Leticia Musgrove: Yeah, but it looks to me like you really don't need to be smoking.
more
Soundtrack:
Broken Up and Blue moreFAQ
What are the differences between the R-Rated version and the Unrated Version?more
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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.