MONSTER

Year: 2003
USA: Newmarket Films
UK: Metrodome Distribution
Cast: Charlize Theron, Christina Ricci, Bruce Dern, Scott Wilson, Lee Tergesen, Pruitt Taylor Vince, Annie Corley, Marco St John, Bubba Baker, Marc Macaulay, Brett Rice, Robb Chamberlain, Chandra Leigh, Catherine Mangan, Christian Stokes, Tim Ware
Director: Patty Jenkins
Countries: USA / Germany
UK: 109 mins
USA Rated: R for strong violence and sexual content, and for pervasive language
UK Certificate: 18 contains strong language and sexual violence
USA Release Date: 26 December 2003 (Limited Release - Los Angeles and San Francisco)
USA Release Date: 24 December 2003 (Limited Release - New York)
UK Release Date: 2 April 2004

Synopsis

Patty Jenkins' powerful drama MONSTER, features a truly extraordinary performance by Charlize Theron. Theron's remarkable portrayal of serial killer Aileen Wuornos has won her a Golden Globe, the Best Actress award (shared) at Berlin Film Festival and 10 Best Actress awards from film critics across the US and won Best Actress at the 76th Academy Awards, 2004.

MONSTER burrows beneath the tabloid headlines to unearth the human story behind America's first female serial killer, and amidst the horror, unearths an unlikely love story between two misfits. Wuornos, the victim of a tragic, abusive upbringing, is a drifter and hooker. Selby Wall (Ricci) is a young woman sent by her parents to live with an aunt in Florida to 'cure' her homosexuality. Unable to find a legitimate job, and desperate to sustain her relationship with Selby, Wuornos continues to work as a hooker. When one of her johns turns violent, Wuornos shoots the man in self-defence, the first in her tragic string of killings.

Shot in many of the actual locations where Wuornos committed her crimes between 1989 and 1990, MONSTER's impact is heightened by the remarkable physical transformation undertaken by Theron to play the role. Charlize Theron's previous credits include such films as THE CIDER HOUSE RULES and THE ITALIAN JOB, and she will shortly be seen in THE LIFE AND DEATH OF PETER SELLERS. Christina Ricci is best known for stellar work in such films as The ADDAMS FAMILY, THE ICE STORM, BUFFALO 66 and SLEEPY HOLLOW. Patty Jenkins wrote the screenplay for MONSTER, and it marks her feature film directorial debut. Producers are Charlize Theron, Mark Damon, Clark Peterson, Donald Kushner and Brad Wyman.