An interesting, sometimes disturbing and sometimes moving film about the director responsible for a number of old horror films, including 'Frankenstein' and 'The Bride of Frankenstein' - James Whale... Read more
. The film starts and finishes at the end of the his life, 15 years after the end of his directing career, but some of the important parts of his earlier life are covered in brief flashbacks and conversations with his gardener, Clay Boone. I have never seen a bad film with Ian McKellan in and this is no exception. I was drawn to watching this movie after seeing Ian McKellen's great performance in the underrated "Apt pupil" (worth checking out if you haven't already seen it). However, McKellen takes it to a whole other level here, giving a tour de force in acting. Even Brendan Fraser, playing a very important role in the movie, shows acting skills not evident in most of his other work. I'm sure that this movie will be a career high for Brendan, and the director Bill Condon done well to get the performance out of him. Another fairly important part goes to Lynn Redgrave, who also does a fantastic job.I suppose Gods and monsters can be described as an art house movie, and is indeed slow in places, but this is intentional and whilst it may limit the film's potential audience, it certainly isn't a negative criticism on my part. You should just sit back, relax, enjoy the unique friendship between McKellen and Fraser, and savour the quality of acting on show, especially of that from Mckellen.