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Brendan Fraser, David Dukes, Ian McKellen

Hollywood history comes to life in this tale of the last days of Frankenstein director James Whale, played by Sir Ian McKellen. Long forgotten by the studios, Whale has retired to pursue painting and ...( read more  read more... )a life of leisure. Gods and Monsters explores his final fascination with a handsome gardener, Clayton Boone.

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44 critics

R, 1 hr. 45 min.

Directed by: Bill Condon, Brendan Fraser, David Dukes, Ian McKellen, Jesse James, Lolita Davidovich, Lynn Redgrave, Stephen M. Katz

Release Date: November 4, 1998

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DVD Release Date: June 8, 1999

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Flixster Reviews (520)

  • stopitgoaway
    November 15, 2009
    stopitgoaway
    A trio of excellent performances adorn "Gods and Monsters", Bill Condon's film about the elderly James Whale, one-time Hollywood director. Reclusive, waspish and cantankerous, Whale is looked after by his maid Hanna, a deeply religious lady who despairs of his gay sexuality but d...( read more)otes on him nevertheless. Into the mix comes a slightly dim-witted young gardener Clayton Boone who catches Whale's eye and agrees to sit for the old director while he sketches him. Boone, initially unaware of Whale's gayness and then repelled by it, eventually comes to respect and love the old man. They are like two lost souls, polar opposites who nevertheless connect and come to depend on each other, much in the manner of Dr. Frankenstein and his monster in the movie that made Whale's name.

    Ian McKellen must have been the only choice to portray Whale, and he clearly relishes the opportunity. A biting wit masks his inner despair as he looks back on a life of childhood deprivation (much of it emotional), wartime loss, and fleeting happiness found in the gay subculture of Tinseltown. The accumulation of these experiences seems etched on McKellen's face so that there is not one moment when he is not inhabiting the role. Lynn Redgrave is simply wonderful in support as Hanna; her scenes with McKellen have a real fizz and convey a true sense of fondness between the two characters. Brendan Fraser, meanwhile, is very good as Boone. It may seem that playing nice but dim would come easily to Fraser, but there's a little more to him than that and he adeptly renders the subtle awakening in self-understanding triggered by Boone's contact with Whale.

    A character-driven chamber piece, "Gods and Monsters" feels more like theatre than cinema, despite its Hollywood theme. Great acting alone can't quite carry it, however, and after a sparklingly witty opening the pacing drags somewhat. On a conveniently dark and stormy night, the film descends into melodrama for its final act. A pity, because there's so much to admire here. Just as in his recent film "Kinsey", Condon shows himself to be a highly literate and sensitive film-maker, and a great director of actors. He's certainly not afraid to tackle subject matter that may not sit too comfortably in the multiplexes of middle-America. Unlike Dr. Frankenstein, however, I'm not sure he's yet managed to animate one of his creations with the sort of kinetic charge that truly brings a movie to life.
  • SirPant
    September 25, 2009
    SirPant
    A very sweet film about James Whale?s last few days. Ian McKellen?s performance is great as always.
  • RiderOfTheStorms
    June 24, 2009
    RiderOfTheStorms
    This was A what the fuck? kinda movie for me but still i found it very humorous and with a great performance from Ian Mckellen
  • mrpopcorn
    March 10, 2009
    mrpopcorn
    James Whale: "My life is a game of strip poker. Want to play?"

    The last days of Frankenstein director James Whale are explored.

    REVIEW
    Gods & Monsters is a fascinating , sprawl of epic proportions that lurks tantalizingly in the failing mind of its main ch...( read more)aracter. We get the sense that we've walked in on the last act of a great play and wonder what the rest was like.

    Aging gay Hollywood director seeks engaging relationship with somewhat dense gardener. I will not bore you with the details. Sir Ian's acting is top drawer as is the ever wonderful Redgrave as the doting housekeeper. Frasier is batting a little out of his league but is serviceable as the beefcake "love interest." The writing is excellent and brings to life some wonderful character studies. It holds up until the next to last scene which I saw as a bit awkward and forced. Such an elegant script could have found a more plausible circumstance to achieve the desired result.

    So...what is the film about? Well, it's about being gay and not being gay; about being lonely when surrounded by people who supposedly love you; about giving it all up while still trying to hold on. While most epics spend hours trying to resolve these types of issues, Gods & Monsters is content to show us that such issues exist without resolution. It's an epic in a box...and is a better film for it.
  • rebvodka042099
    July 28, 2008
    rebvodka042099
    Dynamite film. Ian McKellen is unbelievable in his role and so is Brendan Fraser. Truly stunning, a tremendous blow of fearlessness.
  • odonoghuematthew
    November 13, 2009
    odonoghuematthew
    Best Actor in a supporting role 1998
  • resist2182
    August 19, 2009
    resist2182
    A tragic story with elements of humour. Great performances, Ian McKellen gives his best sleazy glance in many a scene
  • SageSlowdive
    August 17, 2009
    SageSlowdive
    McKellen gives an amazing performance.
  • arabiansanchez
    June 24, 2009
    arabiansanchez
    one of my favourite movies ever. unique.
  • terris85017
    June 7, 2009
    terris85017
    (1998 Oscar for Best Screenplay Adapted) Starring Sir Ian Murray McKellan
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  • In 1998 who was nominated for Best Actor for there performance in Gods and Monsters?  Answer »
  • who played James Whale in Gods and Monsters  Answer »
  • This Apt Pupil of Gods and Monsters played Death in The Last Action Hero creating his own Richard III. His X-Men are in The Lord of the Rings, but it might as well be The Da Vinci Code for all the sense it makes.  Answer »
  • In which movie does Ian McKellen try to seduce Brendan Fraser?  Answer »
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