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Gods and Monsters (1998)

tomatometer

96

Average Rating: 8.4/10
Reviews Counted: 50
Fresh: 48 | Rotten: 2

Gods and Monsters is a spellbinding, confusing piece of semi-fiction, featuring fine performances; McKellen leads the way, but Redgrave and Fraser don't lag far behind.

90

Average Rating: 8.6/10
Critic Reviews: 10
Fresh: 9 | Rotten: 1

Gods and Monsters is a spellbinding, confusing piece of semi-fiction, featuring fine performances; McKellen leads the way, but Redgrave and Fraser don't lag far behind.

audience

80

liked it
Average Rating: 3.7/5
User Ratings: 11,623

My Rating

Movie Info

Gods and Monsters was promoted from the outset as an artistic drama, but the publicity tended to play coyly on the possibility of a homosexual romance between the retired film director James Whale, played by Ian McKellen and his hunky gardener Clayton Boone (Brendan Fraser). While the film does involve romance, the central relationship between the director and his gardener is about the development of a genuine friendship between two outwardly dissimilar but inwardly kindred spirits. In the

R, 2 hr.

Drama

Christopher Bram, Bill Condon

Jun 8, 1999

Lions Gate Films

Cast

All Critics (71) | Top Critics (18) | Fresh (49) | Rotten (2) | DVD (20)

It may not be history, but what a glorious imagining it is.

October 13, 2010 Full Review Source: Mountain Xpress (Asheville, NC) | Comment
Mountain Xpress (Asheville, NC)

Catches a life and its relation to art. One imagines that James Whale would not have turned over in his grave in horror.

August 25, 2010 Full Review Source: ReelTalk Movie Reviews | Comment
ReelTalk Movie Reviews

The film clearly belongs to McKellen, whose presence is what makes the film as affecting at it is.

November 16, 2009 Full Review Source: TheMovieReport.com | Comment
TheMovieReport.com

A parable worthy of Mary Shelley herself.

February 14, 2008 Full Review Source: eFilmCritic.com | Comment
eFilmCritic.com

Condon's indie is narrwoly focused in depicting James Whale's personal and professional frustrations as an old man, but Ian McKellen, who must have felt strong affinity with the openly gay director, gives an astonishingly sophisticated performance.

March 6, 2007 Full Review Source: EmanuelLevy.Com | Comment

travels far beyond the usual chronological re-telling of highlights

June 27, 2003 Full Review Source: Old School Reviews | Comment
More Critic Reviews

Audience Reviews for Gods and Monsters

First of all, to the reviewer who said you felt molested watching this movie. You're homophoic and should see someone about that.I thought it was really great. A nice telling of a Hollywood legend (not unlike Hollywoodland - but better!) I love Sir Ian McKellen and was doubtful on Fraser, but he really held his own. He

December 28, 2010
MeetMeinMontauk
Jennifer D

Super Reviewer

A very touching and sometimes ammusing look at the life of film Director James Whale. It is also a very telling look at the sad results of Hollywood's version of "Don't Ask Don't Tell", which (for the most part) is still in effect today. . Ian McKellen is brilliant in the role of Mr. Whale as is Lynn Redgrave as his

March 17, 2008
RCCLBC
Robert C

Super Reviewer

    1. Michael Boone: A man has to make up his life on his own.
    2. James Whale: A philosopher.
    3. Michael Boone: Thoreau... with a lawnmower.
    – Submitted by Keith D (2 months ago)

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Foreign Titles

  • Dioses y monstruos (ES)
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