Strong performances by Halle Berry and Billy
Bob Thornton
Avoids the clichés of most Hollywood
films
Evocative and thought-provoking independent
movie
Cons
Some plot points and character traits seem
contrived
Some scenes feel stagy
Lack of attention to Georgia regional accent
The Bottom Line -
"Monster's Ball" is a rather quiet, yet emotionally
powerful, film that didn't bore me for a single minute.
Product Description
DVD containing movie "Monster's Ball"
Features Halle Berry's Academy Award-winning performance
DVD has two feature-length commentary tracks
Reviewed by Ivana Redwine
"Monster's Ball" DVD
I loved the acting in "Monster's Ball." I watched this movie
on DVD and found it to be absolutely riveting. I think the emotional
power of this film comes mainly from the fact that the characters
are given enough time to express their feelings. Billy Bob Thornton
portrays Hank Grotowski, a Georgia prison guard whose duties include
taking part in carrying out the execution of death row inmate Lawrence
Musgrove (Sean Combs). Halle Berry plays Lawrence's wife Leticia.
Leticia is a waitress at a diner, where she meets Hank, but neither
is aware of the other's connection with the condemned man. As the
white Hank and the black Leticia become friends, begin a sexual relationship,
and fall in love, the unlikely pair must grapple with a number of
problems. "Monster's Ball" is a rather quiet, yet emotionally
powerful, film that didn't bore me for a single minute.