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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 | 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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1 out of 1 person found this review helpful
Ignore the numptys
If you spell role as roll you are not about to dish out oscars and as for the mary whitehouse hire bambi instead.
The direction and photography probably deserved the oscar as much as Halle Berry. The music was also clever though perhaps too clever for some of these rave reviewers. Yes theres sex scenes and they are sensitively done whilst realising the rawness of the storyline. The film would have been flawed if they'd gone for some soppy smooch instead. -
News and features
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Halle to meet Frankie And Alice
- 18 Apr 2008
Oscar winner Halle Berry has signed up to star in independent psycho-thriller Frankie And Alice, Hollywood bible Variety has reported. Produced by Toronto-based Access Motion Pictures, the film will feature Berry in the lead as a young woman tormented by multiple personality disorder. According to the paper, she is torn between her true self and her alter-ego, a "racist Caucasian that preys upon her mind". Berry - whose other films include the X-Men trilogy, Bond adventure Die Another Read more
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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 ... -