IN A WORLD OF "GODS AND MONSTERS"

My my, we seem to be hot and heavy on the true stories this week. But fear not, this is not another harrowing crime. Although the story is harrowing, not to mention a true story, no murder is involved. Like Heavenly Creatures it is also the true story of a strong and unlikely friendship and also one of the most striking and beautiful films I have seen in a long time. But well, starring such a great talent as Sir Ian McKellan in the leading role, I seriously doubt the film could have “flopped” if it wanted to… God I thing that guy is BRILLIANT. But moving on…
Gods and monsters chronicles the last days of the 30’s film director James Whale. Known as the director of Frankenstein and Bride of Frankenstein back in the day, Whale (Sir Ian McKellan) has pretty much retired. He has just had a rather severe stroke, his health is failing, and it seems he has nothing else left except to wait out his days, albeit in some comfort, in his residence in Hollywood. He is looked after by his housekeeper the faithful Hannah (played by the legendary Lynn Redgrave) and life seems to be turning increasingly into a monotonous string of days, one of which looks much like the other until the new gardener Clayton Boone (Brendan Frazer) comes into his life. Now Clayton, an ex-marine and mildly homophobic is a little dubious about the job and Whale’s interest in him at first (to those who don’t know, Whale was gay). But as time goes on their friendship develops into something very real. Whale sketches Boone and they exchange stories of their lives… The friendship will end up somewhere neither of them expected it would…
Oscar ®award for Best script, nominations for Best acting… I have become a little jaded over time I have to admit. So films that wind me so completely I have to actually stop in the middle, have a smoke and pour myself a third glass of wine have become rare. I ended up having four glasses of wine in total and two cigarette breaks. McKellan is absolutely stunning as Jimmy Whale who, despite his very strong façade is devastated by the loss of ability brought on by his stroke, intensely nostalgic remembering, among other things, the horrors of the trenches in the First World War and his days at the top of his career as a filmmaker. Boone is at a loss as to how he must help and support his new friend without getting mixed up in “funny business” . And the deeper we get into the story, the more we learn about what is going on behind Whale’s mask, the more torn up we are inside. This is a beautiful, touching story of friendship surviving odds, age gaps and even our own prejudices. It’s good to know that some of the “good things” in life are stronger than all that… No?