Reviews
Product Description
Charlize Theron, Christina Ricci Both shocking and deeply moving, Charlize Theron gives a blistering, multi-award winning performance as Aileen Wuornos - America's first female serial killer - in a film that burrows deep beneath the tabloid-sized headline stories to the abusive neglect, doomed romance and lost opportunities that plagued Aileen's life. Nearing suicidal despair, fate brings her together with kindred spirit Selby, a young woman throwing off the shackles of her oppressive upbringing. Desperate to keep their relationship alive, Aileen maintains her only means of income - a disastrous lifestyle of prostitution. Fuelled by an escalating fury, Aileen's life spirals into tragic circumstances, prompting a string of ill-fated killings, which leads America's media to designate their first female serial killer a true monster. ***** "powerful... staggering" - GQ "Theron gives this year's most impressive performance" - Harpers & Queen "Compelling" - Evening Standard "Astounding" - Esquire "Incredible" - Film Review "Theron's [is a] powerful, physically astonishing performance..." - Variety
Synopsis
Charlize Theron delivers a knockout, cast-against-type performance in this gritty drama, based on the true story of Aileen Wuornos, a down and out prostitute who was sentenced to death after killing six men between 1989 and 1990. Christina Ricci co-stars as Selby Wall, a lesbian runaway who forms a romantic bond with Wuornos. Inspired by her love (even though she is not gay, strictly speaking) Wuornos tries to get a real job, but after meeting with a string of humiliating failures, she returns to work as a hitchhiking hooker, killing her first victim in self-defence after he rapes and beats her. Eventually, robbing and murdering her clients becomes almost second nature and by the end Wuornos even slays a man who was totally innocent (Scott Wilson). Theron's portrayal of this dangerous yet sympathetic character ranks with some of the greatest performances in cinema. Under heavy makeup, extra weight, and a snarling countenance, she proves herself a fearless, formidable talent, completely unrecognisable from the glamorous beauty of such films as THE ITALIAN JOB (2003) and THE DEVIL'S ADVOCATE (1997). First-time director Jenkins proves herself with this fluid and engrossing work, capturing a lot of sordid detail that other movies exploring this milieu might miss; she also wrote the script, based on actual conversations and prison letters from Wuornos. The moody, paranoia-enhancing soundtrack is by electronica maestro BT.