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Gods and Monsters (1998)

tomatometer

96

Average Rating: 8.4/10
Reviews Counted: 51
Fresh: 49 | 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.

91

Average Rating: 8.6/10
Critic Reviews: 11
Fresh: 10 | 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: 12,158

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,

Drama

Christopher Bram, Bill Condon

Jun 8, 1999

Lions Gate Films

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All Critics (72) | Top Critics (19) | Fresh (50) | 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)
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
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
TheMovieReport.com

A parable worthy of Mary Shelley herself.

February 14, 2008 Full Review Source: eFilmCritic.com
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
EmanuelLevy.Com

travels far beyond the usual chronological re-telling of highlights

June 27, 2003 Full Review Source: Old School Reviews

Audience Reviews for Gods and Monsters

I think there is an interesting film in here, but it is severely hampered by a poor script and a dreadful performance by Brandon Fraser. I know what you are thinking. How could the "Monkeybone" veteran give a less than stellar performance? Well I don't know how, but he does.
While I understand that in many ways Fraser's character is supposed to mirror the Frankenstein monster, donning a flattop and not pausing much for thought, Fraser gives off the impression that he is too dim to actually even pull off acting dim. In fact, he acts a lot like I'm sure most of America believes he does when the cameras aren't rolling. I actually gave in to mild bursts of laughter just watching him "act".
While I would have liked to see the story of James Whales, I was too busy trying to make sense of how Fraser got this role.
March 7, 2012
axadntpron
Reid Volk

Super Reviewer

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 wasn't fantastic, but he wasn't Keanu Reeves.
I also really liked the subtle, sparse and dry humor interjected every little while. Something I wasn't quite expecting but it was nice. Most of it done by Ms. Redgrave. Overall a nice movie, not spectacular but definitely worth watching!
December 28, 2010
MeetMeinMontauk
Jennifer D

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 (18 months ago)

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Foreign Titles

  • Dioses y monstruos (ES)
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