What's unique about "Monster's Ball," at least for me, is not that it is original or truly exciting, but that it contains the one of the most overrated performances in any film, ever. I'm talking about Halle Berry, in a role that she won an Oscar for. It was not the greatest year for actresses, and, in all honesty, I think it just went to Berry because none of the performances were great, but by her receiving it would "break new ground." It's not a BAD performance, but she really does little more than say some lines and take off her clothes.

"Monster's Ball" is the story of a racist white prison guard (Billy Bob Thornton) who executes a black man, and then falls in love with his wife (Berry), who doesn't know that he killed her husband. It's an interesting story, but it too often plays safe and never shows any real racism. We are supposed to assume that everyone is racist because it's down south, but with the exception of one character (Peter Boyle), there never seems to be any racism.

Berry just sleepwalks through her role, and Heath Ledger (despite high billing) is barely in the film, so the film lies on Thornton's shoulders and he responds brilliantly. His performance truly shines here, and it's the best performance of 2001, much better than the other very overrated performance of the year: Denzel Washington in "Training Day."

"Monster's Ball" is worth watching, but that doesn't mean that it isn't a massively overrated movie that only gained fame because of a near pornographic sex scene and elements of racism (which are still missing, last time I checked).

© Written by Jacob Hall

How We Rated This Film TC Candler - A- Richard Propes - B+ Jacob Hall - C+

TC Candler's Comment

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Richard Propes' Comment

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