Reviewed by: Kris

Directed by: Patty Jenkins

Produced by: Charlize Theron, Matt Damon, Clark Peterson, Brad Wyman, Mark Damon, Donald Kushner, & Sammy Lee

Cast: Charlize Theron, Christina Ricci, Bruce Dern, Lee Tergesen, & Bubba Baker

Crime/Gangster, Drama and Thriller 1 hr. 49 min. Aileen Wuornos (Theron) had a difficult and cruel childhood plagued by abuse and drug use in Michigan, becoming a prostitute (and pregnant) by the age of 13. Wuornos eventually moved to Florida where she became a highway prostitute, servicing the desires of semi-truck drivers. This movie focuses on the nine month period in 1989 and 1990 during which she had a lesbian relationship with a woman named Selby (Ricci), and during which she also began murdering any of her clientele who tried to rape her.

When I first heard about this movie, I knew I wanted to see it. When I heard that Charlize Theron was the favorite to win an Oscar for her performance in it, I wanted to see it even more. Once Charlize Theron won her Oscar for her performance in this film, I then knew I had to see it. I liked Theron’s other recent flick, The Italian Job, so I know she is a wonderful actress. I must say, however, that I cannot stand Christina Ricci.

I am amazed at how well Charlize Theron performed in this film. I was expecting a wonderful acting job, but not one this good. It is such a remarkable thing when an actor or actress is able to successfully portray something to the audience when that actor/actress has never had to go through that in their life. I was completely convinced that Theron was going through exactly what her character was going through. I was totally drawn in by the character.

This is a little gruesome at times, but it’s not meant to be a feel good movie so the gruesomeness doesn’t take away from the film at all. There are some things in this movie that will not sit well with many people, and like I said, they aren’t supposed to. It’s a dirty, gritty film and I don’t think it would be as good if it weren’t gritty.

I definitely recommend this film to anyone who wants to see a wonderful performance from a great actress. This isn’t really a date movie, and the subject matter is very mature. This is in my top 10 of the last year, and I hope it could be in yours as well.