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Monster's Ball Customer Reviews (70 - 72 of 85 Reviews)

Excellent performances in a throught provoking film
Monster's Ball is one of those rare movies which come along and envelops the viewer. The cast alone which includes Billy Bob Thornton, Peter Boyle, Heath Ledger and Halle Berry are cause enough to see the movie but the plot and outcome are further reason to see this fine film and applaud all associated with this movie. While the subject matter at times is rather grim and one may close their eyes for certain scenes, one leaves the theater feeling that this was time well spent.

Billy Bob Thornton plays the son of a law enforcement officer and the father of a young man, also a law enforcement officer. He comes from a long line of bigoted men which is evident when two young black brothers want to hang out with Thornton's 20 something son. In addition to Thornton not liking blacks he doesn't seem to like his son too much either. Central to the movies plot is the execution of a black man. As Thornton and the other correction officers including his son prepare this man and then witness the execution, the viewer is likely to think this might be the end of Thornton's involvement with the executed man. But the execution has serious reprecussions on Thorntons life as a tragedy befalls him and he then meets the executed mans widow. And as they begin a rather unusual relationship you as the viewer are held mesmerized by the events unfolding on the screen.

There are parts of this movie which are truly painful to watch
and at times the viewer may find themselves overwhelmingly uncomfortable. But these feelings only further heighten the movies effect as one feels as though they are witnessing real life instead of a story. The performances are wonderful and one leaves the theater with a great deal to think about for some time. Even the title is a good choice as monster's ball was the term used in England for the party which was held the night before an execution.

Do see this movie!

Brilliant Acting - Simple Plot
This cleverly simple, but well balanced plot is well known by now and if you don't know it, it doesn't matter much, as the acting carries this film. Billy Bob Thorton again plays a southern hick (a Corrections Officer), a character he does so well at. His father (Peter Boyle) also plays a great bigot (something he began in 1970's "Joe"). Billy Bob's son played by Heath Ledger, again plays his typical character role as a hick with a conscience. Now, it is Ms. Halle Berry that breaks rank and shows her best in a shockingly well-acted part as a single mother waitress. I saw "X-Men" and didn't expect anything out of Berry, but she went for broke and plays such a convincing character, I was happy she won that Oscar!

Again, it's a simple plot, but not one without merit, as it explores some serious issues of racism, bigotry, inter-racial relationships, child abuse, obesity, murder, suicide - and does it with a deft and staight forward tone. Quite a load for a 'small' film. It's not a happy picture and at times can be terribly depressing. But, the script also keeps it afloat with realistic dialogue, taken well advantage of by the cast.

One note of dismay: Only in America can two characters make love in a film where the woman is completely naked and the man still has his underwear on! What is up with that?

Noteable Only for its Strong Performances
The only aspects of this film that don't feel amateurish are the performances. The story is intensely dramatic, so much so that it loses the realism it struggle so hard to achieve. The circumstance that brings together the central romance is clearly meant to devastate the audience and bring them to tears, but all it does is disappoint.
(...)
By the end of the film, the audience is perplexed as to whether or not they were meant to believe in the characters, or dislike them. Every twist imaginable occurs, most of which are quite predictible. The only noteable thing are the performances.
And what performances they are! With a film like this, poor performances would have destroyed any impact the film could have earned, but everyone here is at the top of their game, from Oscar winning Halle Berry to the critically ignored Heath Ledger, giving a career high performance. But how can anyone mention Ledter when the two leading actors - Billy Bob Thornthon and Berry - are so strong and appealing. I have to admit that I had been rooting for Nicole Kidman in Moulin Rouge the year Ms. Berry won for this, but after seeing the film, it was a well-earned award. Her performance is the stuff of legends, unlike the film it is contained in.
Unless you are a film fanatic with a strong attention span, this slow, depressing look at "life in the south" is one to skip. Noteable only for its performances, Monster's Ball is easily one of the most disappointing good movies made in a long time. It's a shame, too - because these performances would otherwise have been remembered for decades.

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