‘Monster’ a spectacle worthy of awards

RAY BUFFER

Charlize Theron has flown under the radar of critics for some time,

establishing a reputation of reliability absent the remarkable. With

“Monster,” Theron becomes remarkable.

“Monster” is the true story of Aileen Wuornos, whom CourtTV has

crowned “America’s first female predatory serial killer.” Wuornos was

convicted in Florida for the murder of seven men and executed in

2002.

Gaining extra weight for the role and undergoing extensive

character makeup in order to resemble the sun-worn, freckled and

eyebrow-less street prostitute who preyed on truck drivers, Theron

portrays Wuornos as repellent and strangely pathetic. Heralded as

Theron’s breakthrough role, this film will likely garner her and its

filmmaker many awards, similar to Hilary Swank’s experience in a

similarly styled film, “Boys Don’t Cry.”

Christina Ricci plays Selby, a petite yet stocky, immature, whiny,

lesbian slacker with great aplomb. Wuornos meets Selby after

accidentally winding up in a gay bar. The two hook up as the story

progresses toward darker moments. Ricci’s work is also superb, as she

is envisioned as the film’s ultimate nemesis.

Director and Screenwriter Patty Jenkins (director of two obscure

films, “Just Drive” and “Velocity Rules”) presents Wuornos with

brutal honesty. She doesn’t flinch from the fact that a person does

not choose to kill on a whim, but slowly becomes a monster after an

accumulation of personal horrors.

Jenkins had watched Wuornos during the trials on TV before

becoming a filmmaker. When she decided to make the film, she met with

Wuornos to interview her and warned her that the film would be

unflattering and raw. Wuornos didn’t live to see the outcome.

Jenkins’ smart and crisp script coupled with sharp performances by

Theron and Ricci make this film a must-see, especially for those

interested in true-crime tales and character studies.

* RAY BUFFER, 34, is a professional singer, actor and voice-over

artist.

A hectic family

romp that works

As the Beatles once said, “Money can’t buy you love,” but with 12

children to shelter, clothe and feed, having more money would buy Tom

and Kate Baker a larger house, a newer car and trendier clothes for

the kids.

In “Cheaper by the Dozen,” the Bakers are one huge happy family

living in rural America making ends meet on one paycheck, eating

plenty of peanut butter and wearing hand-me- down clothes. The Baker

family also injects fun and mayhem into everything they do, from

cooking breakfast to skipping their breakfast when a four-legged pet

takes a nose dive into the main dish. The Bakers live a picture-book

version of family bliss and happiness. And Kate brings it all

together with Martha Stewart ease. She’s even written a book about

her life as Mom to 12 kids.

Yes, life is perfect for Tom and Kate (Steve Martin and Bonnie

Hunt). More money, however, would be nicer. Tom gets that wish in the

form of a new job as a football coach. All Tom has to do is work

longer and harder hours and move to another state, which means

tearing 12 children away from their friends and turning them into the

new kids in a strange school. Mom and dad are elated at the idea of

more money; the kids are upset about being uprooted. For the first

time, the Baker family fails to inject their usual fun and mayhem

into what’s happening to them. However, Dad assures and promises that

greater happiness awaits them in their new home. That doesn’t happen.

Having more money is fun, but soon little problems creep in and

begin gnawing at their new financial bliss. The children are being

picked on at school. The oldest daughter is living with her

boyfriend. However, the kids’ problems are put on the back burner

because Mom has been asked to go on book tour to promote “Cheaper by

the Dozen.” For two weeks, Tom will be a single parent. Tom once

again assures everyone everything will work out. He’s incredibly

optimistic, but Tom’s also incredibly naive.

The impact on the children, with both parents working, begins to

have negative results on the family unit as a whole. Tom and Kate

aren’t listening to their problems, supervising their activities or

giving them advice. They are too busy dealing with their own problems

and situations at work. While both parents are successful in their

new careers, their attempts at having it all is turning into a

losing-it-all unless they access the situation and find a win-win

solution for every family member.

“Cheaper by the Dozen” presents a nostalgic view of family life.

It’s nostalgic because it elevates simple everyday events into

glorious adventures minus the terror, like the time a pet snake gets

loose at one of the children’s birthday party. It also downplays

serious situations, such as the kids fighting at school or running

away from home with quick remedies or mild punishments.

Martin and Hunt work well together as an on-screen couple.

Together they create an interesting mix of believably tolerant but

moralistic in-control parental attitude that’s funny but uplifting.

The movie pokes fun at families of all shapes and sizes but it also

brings to the surface all the joy and happiness found within the

family unit. “Cheaper by the Dozen” is a cross between a television

family sitcom and a mushy Hallmark card. And it works.

* PEGGY J. ROGERS, 40, produces commercial videos and

documentaries.