Gods and Monsters
Picture: B- Sound: B
Extras: A- Film: A-
After revisiting the film Gods
and Monsters I re-realized just how compelling the film is and how it also
reminded me of an even more recent film Shadow of the Vampire, which was
a homage to the great classic Nosferatu. Just as that film pays tribute
to a long gone era, God’s and Monsters makes a story out of the real and
imagined life of director James Whale. Whale was responsible for such pictures
as Frankenstein, Bride of Frankenstein, and The Invisible Man,
but like many great visionaries of the time he chooses his own freedom versus
being a slave to the studio. He refused to let the studio butcher his films
and his reputation for being a homosexual was becoming more open.
Our film is set during the
later portion of his life during the late 1950’s in which a gardener (played by
Brendan Fraser) become close friends and form a very unusual relationship
together. The chemistry between these two actors is indeed the main ingredient
to this film Ian McKellan as the aging Mr. Whale puts on a performance that is
hard to take your eyes away from. His screen presence is overwhelming, despite
his small stature, which reminds me of some of his more recent portrayals such
as in Bryan Singers Apt Pupil, where he played a Nazi refugee hiding in
the U.S. Fraser adds just the right amount of boyish charm and craft to his
part that counters McKellan quite well.
The film can be emotional
at times, especially for those who understand the terms that the film is
working on. The fact that it uncovers some of the sadness left behind from
both WWI vets and old movie directors as Whale was both. The film even treads
some of the territory that reminded me of Sunset Boulevard, in which the story surround
the film is just as interesting as the film itself. Citizen Kane, Nosferatu,
Metropolis, and Casablanca are other classic examples of this.
Going back to Shadow of the Vampire, the exploration of that film dealt
with how Max Schreck (the character of Nosferatu) was so convincing in
his role that some believed he really was a vampire.
The 2.35 X 1 transfer from
this Lions Gate issue DVD looks slightly dated during certain scenes in
comparison to some of the newer looking DVD transfers. This transfer even
appears to be recycled from the previous Universal release of this film, which
was issued back in 98/99. That DVD went out of print. Detail and depth are
limited at times, but color and contrast look fine. The film is in need of a
High-Definition transfer in order to reconcile some of the problems, but this
will do for now. Audio is presented in the standard Dolby Digital 5.1 with all
the expected features associated with Dolby and being a dramatic film, which
relies solely on its dialogue.
These days there are
seldom special features that are worthy of being called so, but Gods and
Monsters supplies some of the best on the market, especially for movie
buffs. Classic horror film fans will also appreciate either the director's
commentary or the making of, which deal exclusively with the life and
mysterious death of James Whale. It also supplies facts here and there with
the classic horror films themselves, such as Frankenstein.
The title Gods and
Monsters is cleverly used for this film since it is a line from Frankenstein,
but also in the way it describes the life of the director and directors in
general from that era. A director is a creator as well, which in the film
Whale states that being a movie director is the greatest thing in the world.
Some might agree. Certainly the idea of having full control and creating life
onto film is a joy that seldom enjoy, but the ones that do must feel God-like.
Monsters, on the other hand, refers to obviously the monsters from his films,
but also the monsters in his life, such as the studios or his family. Whale
never seemed to fit in with those around him, making those in his life seem
monster-like.
- Nate Goss
