IMDb >
Monster's Ball (2001)
Watch It
Buy it at Amazon
Rent it at Blockbuster.com
Discuss in Boards More at IMDb Pro Add to My Movies Update Data
BETA
Discuss in Boards More at IMDb Pro Add to My Movies Update Data
Quicklinks
Top Links
trailers and videosfull cast and crewtriviaofficial sitesmemorable quotesOverview
main detailscombined detailsfull cast and crewcompany creditstv scheduleAwards & Reviews
user reviewsexternal reviewsnewsgroup reviewsawardsuser ratingsparents guiderecommendationsmessage boardPlot & Quotes
plot summarysynopsisplot keywordsAmazon.com summarymemorable quotesFun Stuff
triviagoofssoundtrack listingcrazy creditsalternate versionsmovie connectionsFAQOther Info
merchandising linksbox office/businessrelease datesfilming locationstechnical specslaserdisc detailsDVD detailsliterature listingsNewsDeskPromotional
taglines trailers and videos posters photo galleryExternal Links
showtimesofficial sitesmiscellaneousphotographssound clipsvideo clipsMonster's Ball (2001) More at IMDbPro »
| Photos (see all 25 | slideshow) | Videos (see all 9) |
Overview
User Rating:
Director:
Writers (WGA):
Release Date:
8 February 2002 (USA)
more
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:
Love
|
Prison
|
Racist
|
Black Woman
|
Prison Guard
more
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)
(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 Reviews:
Southern Gothic - dark and disturbing
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 |
Additional Details
Also Known As:
Le bal du monstre (Canada: French title)
more
more
MPAA:
Rated R for strong sexual content, language and violence.
Parents Guide:
Runtime:
111 min | USA:112 min (unrated director's cut)
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:
Company:
Fun Stuff
Trivia:
Vanessa Williams was offered the role of Leticia, but turned it down because of the full frontal nudity.
more
Goofs:
Factual errors: Credits list special thanks to Louisiana State Penitentiary in Angola, Georgia (not Louisiana).
more
Quotes:
Lawrence Musgrove:
I've always believed that a portrait captures a person far better than a photograph. It truly takes a human being to really see a human being.
more
Movie Connections:
Referenced in "Saturday Night Live: Adrien Brody/Sean Paul & Wayne Wonder (#28.19)" (2003)
more
Soundtrack:
I'm Your Man
more
FAQ
What are the differences between the R-Rated version and the Unrated Version?more
more (504 total)
Message Boards
Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for Monster's Ball (2001) moreRecommendations
If you enjoyed this title, our database also recommends:
Show more recommendations
|
|
|
|
|
| Giant | Freeway | Gone with the Wind | Die Blechtrommel | Novecento |
|
IMDb User Rating: |
IMDb User Rating: |
IMDb User Rating: |
IMDb User Rating: |
IMDb User Rating: |
Related Links
| Full cast and crew | Company credits | External reviews |
| News articles | IMDb Drama section | IMDb USA section |
| Add this title to MyMovies |
















Monster's Ball is a compelling film of family conflict, rage and redemption. Halle Berry throws herself into this role like a prizefighter who leaves it all in the ring, and wins by unanimous decision. Billy Bob Thornton gives an electrifying performance as a man grappling with his demons and wanting his better self to emerge victorious.
This movie is a study in ambiguity. The characters are complex with human imperfection, no one (with the exception of Hank's father, played by Peter Boyle) emerging as completely likable or entirely bad. Hank's son played by Heath Ledger fulfills the adage that no good deed goes unpunished, and it's never clear that anyone truly gets whats coming to them.
I'm not sure one should read too much into this movie as a study of attitudes towards race in today's America, but as a portrayal of human frailty and the continuing quest for hope and optimism, Monster's Ball is a can't-miss film experience.