Gods and Monsters (1998)

January 23, 2023 10:35 AM

The last days of "Frankenstein" director James Whale are explored. Starring Ian McKellan as James Whale, Lynn Redgrave as his long-suffering housekeeper and Brendan Fraser as Clayton Boone, the new gardener with whom Whale begins a tense friendship.
posted by EmpressCallipygos (6 comments total)

When I watched Bride of Frankenstein, I thought I was going to be seeing the second half of Mary Shelley's book; but it went gallumphing off into some bananas directions instead. When I read that James Whale may have been subtly using it as a Personal Statement About Life, that suddenly made a lot more sense. I'd actually watch this film as a double feature with Bride rather than the original Frankenstein. I also noticed Brendan Fraser's more serious ouevre was a bit under-represented here and wanted to give him a shout.

The film won an Oscar for Best Adapted Screenplay (and if you want a quick dose of happy, watch this clip with Bill Condon giving his acceptance speech while Fraser, McKellen and Redgrave all hug each other and beam at him like proud parents).
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 10:48 AM on January 23, 2023 [2 favorites]

I agree. His comedies are entertaining enough, but the serious work Brendan Fraser did for Gods and Monsters and now The Whale is where he really shines. His portrayal in The Whale was so compassionate.
posted by abraxasaxarba at 11:25 AM on January 23, 2023 [2 favorites]

this is a really beautiful movie
posted by supermedusa at 11:47 AM on January 23, 2023 [4 favorites]

Fraser is really underrated as an actor.
posted by mrphancy at 11:53 AM on January 23, 2023 [5 favorites]

Right, I think I'mma watch this tonight; it's been a while since I've seen it and Fraser was REALLY good in it. He goes toe-to-toe with Ian Freakin' McKellan in a really sensitively-done scene and comes out fantastically.
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 12:01 PM on January 23, 2023 [4 favorites]

Just finished watching this again for the first time in a long time, and holy SHIT everything about it was so good.
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 7:02 PM on January 23, 2023 [1 favorite]