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Monster's Ball
2001
Set in modern Mississippi, MONSTER'S BALL subtly examines the impact of personal loss and the transforming power of human connection. The movie begins in the state penitentiary's death row, where father-and-son prison guards Hank (Billy Bob Thornton) and Sonny Grotowski (Heath Ledger) administer the execution of a black death-.. Read more
| Starring | Billy Bob Thornton, Heath Ledger, Halle Berry, Sean Combs |
|---|---|
| Director | Marc Forster |
| Genres | Drama |
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Monster's Ball
Set in modern Mississippi, MONSTER'S BALL subtly examines the impact of personal loss and the transforming power of human connection. The movie begins in the state penitentiary's death row, where father-and-son prison guards Hank (Billy Bob Thornton) and Sonny Grotowski (Heath Ledger) administer the execution of a black death-row inmate Lawrence Musgrove (Sean Combs), who leaves behind a wife, Leticia (Halle Berry), and son, Tyrell (Coronji Calhoun). When tragedy strikes both Hank's and Leticia's children, the two grieving parents are accidentally thrust together, where they begin to find comfort and eventually a form of redemption.
Employing a languid pace and minimalist dialogue, MONSTER'S BALL moves slowly forward on the strength of the cast's performances (including a supporting turn from Peter Boyle as Hank's ailing racist father, Buck) and Marc Forster's understated direction. The complex characters are allowed to develop gradually over the course of the entire movie, making the film a richly satisfying character study.
| Starring | Billy Bob Thornton, Heath Ledger, Halle Berry, Sean Combs, Peter Boyle |
|---|---|
| Director | Marc Forster |
| Studio | ENTERTAINMENT IN VIDEO |
| Run time | DVD: 1 hr 48 mins |
| Certificate | |
| Genres | Drama |
| Language | DVD: English |
| Released | DVD: 11 Nov 2002 Production year: 2001 |
| Format | DVD |
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Critics' reviews
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The complexities of the heart are examined against a background of bigotry, despair and redemption in this blistering Deep South drama from German-born director Marc Forster. Anchored by the compelling and provocative performances of Billy Bob Thornton and Oscar-winner Halle Berry, the story focuses on the relationship between a recently widowed black woman and the white prison guard who, unknown to her, presided over her convict husband's execution. This is a film of rare emotional depth and power, which is so immersed in the irrationalities of human sentiment that many of the plot's implausibilities can be forgiven. What you have here is a powder keg of rage, passion and loneliness, with each of the key protagonists struggling to come to terms with the injustices of their world. The ultimate resolution may be far too convenient, but there's no denying that this is a brave and honest attempt to tackle some really difficult social issues.
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Most helpful member's review
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23 out of 27 people found this review helpful
Well worth watching
This film is about three generations of the same family who work for the corectional services in the state penitentiary. They are responsible for death row and they take real pride in ensuring that their executions are carried out professionaly and with as much care and consideration for the victim as possible.
The story follows one execution and simultaneously follows the lives of those involved, the victim, the officers and the victims family.
By chance the man responsible for supervising the execution meets the victims wife afterwards and begins a relationship with her without realising the connection.
The acting is first rate and whilst the subject matter is grim, the story is fascinating. Halle Berry is particuarly good as the wife of the convict.
Good picture and sound quality and interesting extras make this a good disc to rent. -
Most recent members' review
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3 out of 3 people found this review helpful
Hard work, almost worth it.
‘Monster’s Ball’ is a melodrama – serious, depressing, belatedly powerful - telling the story of two lonely people, Hank and Letitia, ground down by the oppressive misery of family dysfunction, poverty, racism, violence and the American Penal system, who, through a series of traumatic events, find the promise of future happiness together.
Slowly, pedantically, the film brings hope to these two hopeless people, but the weight of seriousness, of (Oscar) worthiness governing the whole thing make the contrivances that bring them together a little hard to swallow, whereas the occasional lighter touch might have been more effective. Halle Berry provides the requisite tears, drunken hysterics, ‘ugly’ beauty, wounded pride and serious, non-titillating sex (hilarious) that Academy members obviously prize so highly, but for me the film's real emotional centre is Billy Bob Thornton as Hank: mostly silent, aloof, understated, introverted; you have to feel your way into his character, and it’s his life you become interested in, his happiness you’re invested in, and when he smiles it’s hard not to smile with him.
The overriding tone of dull fatalism is redeemed, however, right at the end, when the narrow, seemingly inevitable grind of life in the Deep South quietly opens out into a sky-wide future. It’s a wonderful, transcendent moment, and, in a nice counterpoint to the preceeding emotional fireworks, Halle Berry owns it. -
News and features
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Berry blasts violent dad, thanks teacher at gala
- 06 Dec 2009
Oscar winner Halle Berry ripped into her father at the Hollywood Reporter's Women in Entertainment breakfast in Los Angeles on Friday (04Dec09), revealing his violent acts left an "indelible" mark on her life. The actress was among those being honoured at the early-morning gala and she chose to bring up a painful part of her past as she accepted her latest accolade. Taking to the podium at the Beverly Hills event, the Monster's Ball star said, "My father was a very abusive, very violent... Read more
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Monster's Ball
Set in modern Mississippi, MONSTER'S BALL subtly examines the impact of personal loss and the transforming power of human connection. The movie begins in the state penitentiary's death row, where father-and-son prison guards Hank (Billy Bob Thornton) and Sonny Grotowski (Heath Ledger) administer ...
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