Movies From the Hat VI #58 – Darren’s Pick – Gods and Monsters (1998)

This is my 3495th Review

Thanks to  Darren of Movie Reviews 101 for this recommendation.

Here are his thoughts on the film.

“It is kind of you to indulge your elders in their vices. Just as I indulge the young in theirs. ” – James Whale

Number of Times Seen – 1 (8 Nov 2017)

Brief Synopsis – A look at the final days of famed Frankenstein director James Whale

My Take on it – This is such an amazing film.

I can’t believe that I never had the opportunity to watch this over the past twenty years since it was made.

Ian McKellan and Brenden Fraser are both amazing here as they help us get into the minds of two very different men tortured by the events of their pasts.

Their unlikely friendship works really well and it’s quite fascinating following their conversations.

The main character’s struggles seem quite real and we can understand why he wishes to escape parts of his past yet still wishes to embrace most of it.

This story takes place at a time in Hollywood where people were free to do as they wish as long as it all remains secretive within their own community.

The dialogue is superbly written and Bill Condon won a very deserving Oscar for Best Adapted Screenplay for this film.

Through their conversations, we get to know the characters quite well and they can easily be seen as real people while trying to understand their own minds, how they got to where they currently are and more importantly, where they wish to go in the future.

Bottom Line – This is an amazing biopic because it explores the mind of the main character as he reflects on his life and debates how he wants to be remembered.  This story takes place at a time when most people knew the truth about what really happened in Hollywood yet kept it all as secret as possible. McKellen and Fraser are both great here as two unlikely friends who find a way to form a connection when they both need it the most.  The dialogue is superb and we get a real feeling that these characters are lost souls who are trying to understand how and why they got to where they have and more importantly, are they where they wish to really be.  Condon deservingly won a Best Adapted Screenplay Oscar for this film’s script. Highly Recommended!

MovieRob’s Favorite Trivia – One of only three films since the advent of the Best Screenplay Adapted from Another Medium Oscar to win the award without receiving a Best Picture nomination as well. The first was The Bad and the Beautiful (1952), the second was Sling Blade (1996). (From IMDB)

Rating – Oscar Worthy

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