Gods and Monsters Movie Review 1998

Although British director James Whale (McKellen) had a varied (if short) Hollywood career in the '30s and '40s, his name rested on his Universal horror films: "The Invisible Man," "Frankenstein," and "The Bride of Frankenstein." Now long-retired and suffering from ill-health, the openly gay Whale lives quietly in L.A. with his protective housekeeper, Hanna (Redgrave). Whale does enjoy the company of his new gardener--hunky, hetero ex-Marine Clayton Boone (Fraser)--but a stroke has left the director with a confusing sense of reality--returning him to his soldiering days in WWI and "Frankenstein" re-creations. Brilliant performance from McKellen, with solid support from Fraser and Redgrave. Based on the novel "Father of Frankenstein" by Christopher Bram.

Distribution

Universal Studios Home Video, 100 Universal City Plz., Universal City, CA 91608-9955, Phone: (818)777-1000, Fax: (818)866-1483, URL: http://www.universalstudios.com, Remarks: Does not handle retail queries from consumers; contact your local video distributor.

Available on VHS, DVD
Running time 105 minutes.

Cast and Crew

Genres

Biopics: Showbiz, Behind the Scenes, B/W & Color Combos, Showbiz Dramas, Flashback, Gays, L.A., Growing Older, World War I

Screenplay

Bill Condon

Cast

Ian McKellen, Brendan Fraser, Lynn Redgrave, Lolita (David) Davidovich, David Dukes, Kevin J. O'Connor, Brandon Kleyla, Jack Plotnick, Rosalind Ayres, Arthur Dignam, Jack Betts, Martin Ferrero

Cinematography

Stephen M. Katz

Director

Bill Condon

Music

Carter Burwell

Producer

Greg Fienberg, Paul Colichman, Mark R. Harris, Clive Barker, Stephen Jarchow, Regent Entertainment, Lions Gate Films

Awards

Oscars 1998: Adapt. Screenplay; Golden Globes 1999: Support. Actress (Redgrave); Ind. Spirit 1999: Actor (McKellen), Film, Support. Actress (Redgrave); L.A. Film Critics 1998: Actor (McKellen); Natl. Bd. of Review 1998: Actor (McKellen), Film; Broadcast Film Critics 1998: Actor (McKellen).