Gods and Monsters (1998)

96% of critics liked it
(50 reviews)
80% of users liked it
(11,792 ratings)

Gods and Monsters was promoted from the outset as an artistic drama, but the publicity tended to play coyly on the possibility of a homosexual romance between the retired film director James Whale, played by Ian McKellen and his hunky gardener Clayton Boone (Brendan Fraser). While the film does… More Gods and Monsters was promoted from the outset as an artistic drama, but the publicity tended to play coyly on the possibility of a homosexual romance between the retired film director James Whale, played by Ian McKellen and his hunky gardener Clayton Boone (Brendan Fraser). While the film does involve romance, the central relationship between the director and his gardener is about the development of a genuine friendship between two outwardly dissimilar but inwardly kindred spirits. In the story, Whale has been living for many years in peaceful, if not entirely contented retirement, under the loving and watchful eye of his contentious and argumentative Hungarian housekeeper (Lynn Redgrave). His earlier celebrity as the director of the original Frankenstein movie and its sequel, The Bride of Frankenstein, results in his being visited occasionally by disagreeable young men who have come to bask in the reminiscences of this creator of two "camp" classics. His reputation as a fairly outrageous homosexual comes into play here, when one particularly unpleasant and effeminate young man comes by seeking cinematic tidbits: the director challenges the boy to a game of stripping off one article of clothing for every revelation he shares about his moviemaking past. He had gotten the boy down to his briefs when he is stricken with one of his ever-recurring bouts of epilepsy, the result of a series of strokes. By way of contrast, while he is clearly interested in his gardener as a sex-object, gradually luring him into ever closer association, the openness and vulnerability of this awkwardly aggressive heterosexual boy inspires him to reveal the history of his heart. It turns out that, like the young man who is modeling for his supposed artworks, he came from a poor and difficult background. By the time naïve gardener learns of the director's homosexuality from the housekeeper, he has been drawn too deeply under the man's spell to stay away from their meetings for long. While the tension between the men never departs, a genuine relationship of caring develops between them. Meanwhile, Whale has been clearly observing the progressive deterioration of his mental faculties, and is increasingly being overwhelmed by vivid memories and visions. ~ Clarke Fountain, Rovi

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Rating, Runtime: R, 2 hr.
Directed By: Bill Condon
Written By: Christopher Bram, Bill Condon
Genres: Drama

In Theaters: Nov 4, 1998 Wide
On DVD: Jun 8, 1999
Studio: Lions Gate Films

Critic Reviews

Ken Hanke, Mountain Xpress (Asheville, NC)
It may not be history, but what a glorious imagining it is.
Donald J. Levit, ReelTalk Movie Reviews
Catches a life and its relation to art. One imagines that James Whale would not have turned over in his grave in horror.
Michael Dequina, TheMovieReport.com
The film clearly belongs to McKellen, whose presence is what makes the film as affecting at it is.
Rob Gonsalves, eFilmCritic.com
A parable worthy of Mary Shelley herself.
Emanuel Levy, EmanuelLevy.Com
Condon's indie is narrwoly focused in depicting James Whale's personal and professional frustrations as an old man, but Ian McKellen, who must have felt strong affinity with the openly gay director, gives an astonishingly sophisticated performance.
John A. Nesbit, Old School Reviews
travels far beyond the usual chronological re-telling of highlights

Read all 6 critic reviews

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Featured Audience Ratings

Reid V

I think there is an interesting film in here, but it is severely hampered by a poor script and a dreadful performance by Brandon Fraser. I know what you are thinking. How could the "Monkeybone" veteran give a less than stellar performance? Well I don't know how, but he… More
I think there is an interesting film in here, but it is severely hampered by a poor script and a dreadful performance by Brandon Fraser. I know what you are thinking. How could the "Monkeybone" veteran give a less than stellar performance? Well I don't know how, but he does. While I understand that in many ways Fraser's character is supposed to mirror the Frankenstein monster, donning a flattop and not pausing much for thought, Fraser gives off the impression that he is too dim to actually even pull off acting dim. In fact, he acts a lot like I'm sure most of America believes he does when the cameras aren't rolling. I actually gave in to mild bursts of laughter just watching him "act". While I would have liked to see the story of James Whales, I was too busy trying to make sense of how Fraser got this role.
Jennifer D

First of all, to the reviewer who said you felt molested watching this movie. You're homophoic and should see someone about that. I thought it was really great. A nice telling of a Hollywood legend (not unlike Hollywoodland - but better!) I love Sir Ian McKellen and was doubtful… More
First of all, to the reviewer who said you felt molested watching this movie. You're homophoic and should see someone about that. I thought it was really great. A nice telling of a Hollywood legend (not unlike Hollywoodland - but better!) I love Sir Ian McKellen and was doubtful on Fraser, but he really held his own. He wasn't fantastic, but he wasn't Keanu Reeves. I also really liked the subtle, sparse and dry humor interjected every little while. Something I wasn't quite expecting but it was nice. Most of it done by Ms. Redgrave. Overall a nice movie, not spectacular but definitely worth watching!
Robert C

A very touching and sometimes ammusing look at the life of film Director James Whale. It is also a very telling look at the sad results of Hollywood's version of "Don't Ask Don't Tell", which (for the most part) is still in effect today. . Ian McKellen is… More
A very touching and sometimes ammusing look at the life of film Director James Whale. It is also a very telling look at the sad results of Hollywood's version of "Don't Ask Don't Tell", which (for the most part) is still in effect today. . Ian McKellen is brilliant in the role of Mr. Whale as is Lynn Redgrave as his faithfull (no pun intended) housekeeper. Brendan Fraser does very well, but comes across as a bit out of his league having to share the screen with those two.
Cassandra M

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… More
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 dotes 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.
Anthony L

A very sweet film about James Whale?s last few days. Ian McKellen?s performance is great as always.
Lorenzo v

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… More
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 character. 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.
Aaron N

James Whale: He's never met a princess - only queens. Here's an interesting film about the final days of director James Whale of "Frankenstein" and the even better "Bride of Frankenstein" fame. Whale was an openly gay man, who lived out his final days in… More
James Whale: He's never met a princess - only queens. Here's an interesting film about the final days of director James Whale of "Frankenstein" and the even better "Bride of Frankenstein" fame. Whale was an openly gay man, who lived out his final days in a nice home in Hollywood, suffering essentially from anxiety from within his brain. In the film he is portrayed by openly gay actor Ian McKellen, not that it necessarily matters, but he was quoted as feeling quite comfortable in the part. In the movie, Whale forms a friendship of sorts with his gardener Clayton Boone, played by Brendan Fraser, who has a similar physic of Frankenstein's monster, interesting Whale, prompting him to want to draw portraits of him. Clayton learns of Whale's homosexuality and much of the film goes back and forth dealing with how Boone feels awkward around Whale and intrigued by the stories he tells. Lynn Redgrave also stars as Whale's housekeeper and only friend. The story contains various flashbacks at Whale's time in WWI, spending time with past lovers, and filming Bride of Frankenstein. All of these scenes come through Whale's mental breakdown, giving him flashes of things he has not thought about for years and contemplating what his life has meant to him. McKellen is very good in this role. His character is complicated and interesting, but the film goes back and forth between its artistic interpretation of his mental state and how we see him in reality, which works only most of the time. Fraser, who I usually enjoy, goes back and forth from feeling out of place. There are some scenes where he is appropriately fitting into this old man's life, but then from both how its structured and what is portrayed, moments with his character feel completely false. Its odd to me that this film won best adapted screenplay, especially when up against films like Out of Sight and A Simple Plan that year. What does work is Lynn Redgrave. She works in every scene she is in, using both humor and affection for Whale to be an enjoyable character. Carter Burwell's score is also effective enough, evoking themes of Whale's own films. Its a good enough film, making up a semi-fictional story about a famed director, with a couple of good performances. James Whale: And we're quite informal around here - no need to worry about a bathing suit.
Alexander W

I can't believe I watched the WHOLE of this film, i feel so molested. If you can avoid it, but its well wrtiten. So if your tempted , then check it out.
Cindy I

An amazing film about the supposed last days of director James Whale. Ian McKellan is incredible as the depressed, elderly Whale and Brendan Fraser truly holds his own here as Whale's gardener and eventual friend. The film has a lot of gay undertones -- Whale was openly gay… More
An amazing film about the supposed last days of director James Whale. Ian McKellan is incredible as the depressed, elderly Whale and Brendan Fraser truly holds his own here as Whale's gardener and eventual friend. The film has a lot of gay undertones -- Whale was openly gay after all -- but don't let that get in your way. This is as much about the loneliness of old age as it is about Hollywood. This movie might be one of my top 20 fave films ever.
Christopher M

I really wanted to like this film, but in the end, I just had too many problems with it. There were times I just wanted to turn it off, but I plugged through all the same. It speculates on the last days of Frankenstein director James Whale (Ian McKellen), who secludes himself from the… More
I really wanted to like this film, but in the end, I just had too many problems with it. There were times I just wanted to turn it off, but I plugged through all the same. It speculates on the last days of Frankenstein director James Whale (Ian McKellen), who secludes himself from the rest of the world and becomes increasingly disturbed by his past, striking up an unlikely bond with his young, boarish gardener, Clay Boone (Brendan Fraser). I didn't hate the film - Ian McKellen's performance (as always) was great, Lynn Redgrave as Hanna, Whales' maid and caretaker, was one of the best things about the film, and the writing was good. But I had a lot of problems with it. I'm somewhat biased, but I never have liked Brendan Fraser. There's just something about him I can't stand, but I don't think he's a very good actor either. Here I thought maybe he would finally show his chops - but his starring did nothing to help this film. The way Whales' flashbacks were presented felt very clunky and awkward, I don't know whether that's the fault of the director or editor, but these scenes weren't handled very well (for the most part, there were a couple exceptions). And because of this issue with the flashbacks, the flow of the film felt very off, as well. Maybe this is just one of those either love it or hate it movies, but, for me: even the great work of Ian McKellen couldn't save this film from mediocrity.
jay n

Brilliant Ian McKellan performance ably assisted by Brendan Fraser. Lynn Redgrave is both hysterical and deeply touching.
Michael G

A great movie. Proof that Brendan Fraser can actually act.
Byron B

Great cast. McKellen is the perfect actor to portray the director James Whale, who is retired from Hollywood film directing. Whale is a horny old man who loves men. He tries to continue living a playful slightly subversive life despite having had a number of small strokes. The… More
Great cast. McKellen is the perfect actor to portray the director James Whale, who is retired from Hollywood film directing. Whale is a horny old man who loves men. He tries to continue living a playful slightly subversive life despite having had a number of small strokes. The relationship between Whale and the young Boone is unique as Boone at first naively humors the older man, then reacts with disgust to the older man's lifestyle, then opens up more fully than ever before to the older man only to be taken advantage of. Condon picks The Bride of Frankenstein as Whale's ultimate achievement. I believe all the black and white clips are from that film. It is a nice touch that many perspectives are shown in relation to The Bride. I especially liked the imagery that represented Whale's dreams from his stroke-racked brain. Does Whale see himself as the monster and Boone as the scientist who can put him back together? Or is the hulking Boone the monster dragging the poor Whale, overcome by his creation, along? Both are considered. Whale seems to still be holding the reigns as the director, some might think manipulator, of his own life in either case.
Alec B

The film's central metaphor is a bit heavy handed and overused. We get it, what's happening to the characters is like Frankenstein and the monster. Still the performances are great. Brendan Fraser and Lynn Redgrave are good, but Ian McKellen is fucking brilliant as film… More
The film's central metaphor is a bit heavy handed and overused. We get it, what's happening to the characters is like Frankenstein and the monster. Still the performances are great. Brendan Fraser and Lynn Redgrave are good, but Ian McKellen is fucking brilliant as film director James Whale. Several exchanges between their characters are extremely well written especially any of Whale's speeches about the past. I also admired the film's rather straight forward look at the homosexuality of James Whale, and while this film is a purely fictionalized account of his final days it's hard not to imagine something similar to this occurring (minus all the Frankenstein stuff though).
Sunil J

The first movie Brendan Fraser made that was watchable.
Haley A

Amazing film! Probably one of the best films about alternative lifestyles ever made, and surely one of the most genuine and understanding film dealing with that subject. Ian McKellen is wonderful as James Whale, and, I think, should have won the Oscar that he lost out on. Brendan… More
Amazing film! Probably one of the best films about alternative lifestyles ever made, and surely one of the most genuine and understanding film dealing with that subject. Ian McKellen is wonderful as James Whale, and, I think, should have won the Oscar that he lost out on. Brendan Fraser delivers one of his best performances, and was sadly overlooked by many critics. This is a very touching story about two lonely men (a rich, gay, former film director, and a straight, ex-marine, gardener) that form a friendship and help to mend each others wounds, so to speak. If you haven't seen this film, give it a look. It's a beautiful work of art that has gone somewhat unnoticed.
Audrey L

Brilliant movie,stellar performances by Sir Ian mcKellen and Brendan Frasier.A story about the power of human connection and intimacy,within the context of a most unconventional relationship.It is beautiful and tragic,at times comic and dark.Loved it!
FanGirl B

A powerful film with powerful performances.