If your problems seem insurmountable, if you're deeply depressed, if you're constantly asking yourself "why me?", I have a simple cure for you. SEE THIS MOVIE! Your trying tribulations will be magically swept away (along with most of your personality), and your life will be put into its proper perspective. Not even Jerry Springer guests can compete with the problems that Leticia (Halle Berry) and Hank (Billy Bob Thornton) face.
The REAL reason to see "Monster's Ball" is Halle Berry. No, I'm not talking about her "much-publicized scene" with Billy Bob (besides, you see more of Billy Bob than Halle in that scene anyway.) In this case, the hype is true - Halle Berry gives one of the finest performances of 2001. She brings Leticia's character to life by effectively emoting anger, frustration, vulnerability, pain, sorrow, melancholy, and fleeting moments of love and happiness - an impressive, broad range.
I could not, however, forge any true connections with the characters or their dire situations and, as a result, could not feel any deep sympathy for them. The movie failed me in this respect since eliciting sympathy from the audience is clearly a motivation for making it. Additionally, the ending is both vexing and perplexing. |
