Monster’s Ball (2001) Movie Info
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Movie Name | Monster’s Ball (2001) |
| Director | Marc Forster |
| Screenplay Writer | Milo Addica, Will Rokos |
| Based on Novel by | — (Original screenplay) |
| Lead Actors | Halle Berry, Billy Bob Thornton, Heath Ledger |
| Cast | Halle Berry, Billy Bob Thornton, Heath Ledger, Peter Boyle, Sean “P. Diddy” Combs, Coronji Calhoun, Gabrielle Witcher |
| Genre | Drama, Romance |
| Release Date | December 26, 2001 (United States) |
| Duration | 1h 51m (111 minutes) |
| Budget | ~$4 million |
| Language | English |
| Country | United States |
| Box Office (Worldwide) | ~$44.9 million |
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Short Summary
Set in the South, Monsters Ball is a tale of love and death intertwined with racism and brutal honesty. Billy Bob Thornton plays a prison guard who, through a series of events, discovers himself suddenly ready to cast aside many and deep rooted life long conceptions. His love interest is played by Halle Berry who also experiences much tumult and ends up making an extremely human and honest decision.
Review
Monsters Ball is equal parts southern racism and emotion-engendering ironic twist. Leticias (Halle Berry) ex-husband (Sean Combs) is on death row. Her life is a mess and her obese son suffers the consequences of this dysfunction. Tragically the son is killed in a hit and run accident. In steps Hank Grotowski (Billy Bob Thornton). Hank happens upon the scene of the accident and, despite his racist tendencies, helps Leticia bring her son to the hospital. Unbeknownst to both he and Leticia, Hank was on duty as a prison guard during Leticis ex-husbands execution. Hank and Leticia, through the oddest of circumstances, end up finding solace and comfort in each other, for, ironically, Hank has also just lost a son. (Heath Ledger) What ensues is an expression of humanity often attempted by rarely achieved in film.
There is no typical Hollywood ending to be found in Monsters Ball. Leticia does not declare the world unjust and rise above the fury. Hank does change but his redemption is uncertain. But within the ugliness and reality that pervade, the players of Monsters Ball reach a level of beauty in a time of much uncertainty. Leticia eventually discovers the truth. In the truth racism and inequity are on full display; the right course of action becomes, to some, unpalatable. To her it may be the only option available.
Strong performances abound. Berry won an Oscar for her performance. Watch for a strong but brief role by Heath Ledger. Monsters Ball will make you think while, at the same time, providing artistic beauty and integrity.
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