Gods and Monsters
Based on Christopher Bram's novel Father of Frankenstein, Bill Condon's semi-fictional 1998 sleeper stars Sir Ian McKellen in a fantastic performance as director James Whale (Frankenstein, Bride of Frankenstein, Show Boat). It is 1957, and Whale is living in semiseclusion in Southern California with his scrutinizing maid, Hannah (Lynn Redgrave). His health is failing, and he is able to do little but lounge around and contemplate his younger days--his many male loves, his days in WWI, and the film world that has forsaken him. When Whale first gazes upon his musclebound gardener, Clay (Brendan Fraser), however, it is the beginning of an unusual (and platonic) friendship.
Member Reviews
"Psychological Biography" Fails To Fly High - revsdd
This is the story of the last days in the life of James Whale (played by Ian McKellen), famous as the director of the movies "Frankenstein" and "Bride of Frankenstein," which offers a strong sense of Whale's emotional state as he struggles to come to terms with what might be best described as the "monsters" in his own past. What I found most disappointing, though, was that we really learned very little about Whale. He was a homosexual who had an attraction to younger men, and he was left emotionally scarred by his experiences in the trenches during the First World War. Nothing in any of that really caught my attention as being worth the effort obviously put into the movie.
The most interesting exploration - which the movie did, quite appropriately, keep coming back to - was Whale's relationship to the two "Frankenstein" movies he directed. Here we see a man torn between his obvious pride in the fame these two movies brought him but also his desire to be known as more than "just" a "horror movie director." "Frankenstein" becomes both the high point of his career, and the thing that holds him back, although that also is hardly unique. Fine actors are typecast all the time; many directors get associated with one genre in particular even though their talents are much broader.
The performances are generally good. McKellen does a fine job as Whale, and Brendan Fraser as Clay Boone, the straight lawn keeper at Whale's estate who nevertheless captures Whale's attention, offers a strong piece of work. Undoubtedly the funniest line in the movie is Whale introducing Clay to Princess Margaret with the words "he's never met a princess - only queens!" So, the acting is good and the movie is technically well put together and seems to offer a fairly accurate portrayal of Whale's last days. The simple problem with it is that it appears to be a biography of a man who - sorry to say - just doesn't seem to have been (to me at least) especially interesting.Father of Frankenstein - Myrrh
At the core of the project of transforming a novel into a film there are a number of problems. Most essential, however, is the question of how can you keep the things which made the novel a successful work of art, while effecting its transformation into another medium.
If one were looking for an example of this process at its best, one could hardly do better than Gods and Monsters - the story of James Whale, director of the first Frankenstein films. Even the author of the novel, Chris Bram, agrees. I read the novel before watching the film and then again after, and, if anything I enjoyed it more each time.
Interestingly, editions of the novel published after the film was released even take the film's title as their own. The original title was Father of Frankenstein. Bram himself says that it is probably a better title and he also notes that Brendon Fraser, having recently played goofball roles such as George of the Jungle, was understandably resistant to playing in something called Father of Frankenstein.
Aesthetically the film is attractive and the acting is very strong. It also manages to be quite charming, funny and touching. I recommend it, and the book(am I allowed to do that here?), very highly.Brilliant. Moving. Haunting. - cathyottawa
I loved this movie. Ian Mckellen is absolutely brilliant. He was nominated for an Oscar for this role, and should have won. I think it's the best work he's ever done.
It's a movie about memory and regrets. Secrets and lies. Desire. It stayed with me for a long time.
The supporting cast is outstanding. Lynn Redgrave was also nominated for an Oscar, and Brenden Fraser is just right for the role he plays.
They use the movie "Frankenstien's Monster", much like "Wild at Heart" used "The Wizard of Oz". It works really well.
Check this movie out - you won't be disappointed.
Member Reviews
Read All...
"Psychological Biography" Fails To Fly High - revsdd
This is the story of the last days in the life of James Whale (played by Ian McKellen), famous as the director of the movies "Frankenstein" and "Bride of Frankenstein," which offers a strong sense of Whale's emotional state as he struggles to come to terms ...Father of Frankenstein - Myrrh
At the core of the project of transforming a novel into a film there are a number of problems. Most essential, however, is the question of how can you keep the things which made the novel a successful work of art, while effecting its transformation into another ...Brilliant. Moving. Haunting. - cathyottawa
I loved this movie. Ian Mckellen is absolutely brilliant. He was nominated for an Oscar for this role, and should have won. I think it's the best work he's ever done.
It's a movie about memory and regrets. Secrets and lies. Desire. It stayed ...