Monster's Ball -- R
Starring: Billy Bob Thornton, Halle Berry
Directed by: Marc Forster
"Monster's Ball" is a movie that will constantly surprise you with its raw tale of love amidst boundless tragedy. Fantastic performances by the cast and a cliche-free plot make it one of the best films of 2001.
"Monster's Ball" centers around the convergence of two tortured souls. The first is a corrections officer named Hank ,Billy Bob Thornton, and the second an impoverished black woman Leticia (Halle Berry). Hank's life is dominated by his bigot of a father (Peter Boyle) and his own failed attempts at raising his son (Heath Ledger). Leticia faces poverty and the trials of raising a child. All of the conventions of love stories do not exist here, and the plot often swerves in shocking directions. This film also has one of the best endings I have ever seen; one that leaves you free to make your own interpretation.
The incredibly strong cast makes you genuinely care about the characters. Billy Bob Thornton is fantastic as the brutally flawed Hank. Halle Berry earns her Oscar with a character that seems on the edge of a total breakdown. Peter Boyle and Heath Ledger play polar opposites showing the dynamic that racism and brutality creates within their family. The big surprise here is rapper Sean Combs, who turns in a convincing performance as a death row inmate.
A decent amount of work was put into making a fine DVD for such a deserving film. The extras include four deleted scenes, two commentaries and behind the scenes documentaries. The deleted scenes aren't terribly compelling but are worth a look. Of the two commentaries, only the one with Halle Berry, Billy Bob Thornton and the director is worth a listen. The behind the scenes material is standard fare with a look at the scoring of the film being the most interesting.
The "Monster's Ball" DVD is an unflinching look into two broken lives that produce a love that defies any convention. This is a must own film and a solid DVD.
){kind=small}
