Gods and Monsters
Gods and Monsters is a 1998 period drama film written and directed by Bill Condon, based on Christopher Bram's 1995 novel Father of Frankenstein. The film stars Ian McKellen, Brendan Fraser, Lynn Redgrave, Lolita Davidovich, and David Dukes. Its plot is a partly fictionalized account of the last days of the life of film director James Whale (McKellen), known for directing Frankenstein (1931) and Bride of Frankenstein (1935). A veteran of World War I, the aged Whale develops a complicated relationship with his gardener, Clayton Boone (Fraser), a fictitious character originally created by Bram for the source novel.
Plot
In the 1950s, James Whale, the director of Frankenstein and Bride of Frankenstein, has retired. Whale lives with his long-time housemaid, Hanna, who loyally cares for him but disapproves of his homosexuality. He has suffered a series of strokes that have left him fragile and tormented by memories: growing up as a poor outcast, his tragic World War I service, and the filming of Bride of Frankenstein. Whale slips into his past and indulges in his fantasies, reminiscing about gay pool parties and sexually teasing an embarrassed, starstruck fan. He battles depression, and at times contemplates suicide, as he realizes his life, his attractiveness, and his health are slipping away.
Awards
Cast
- Arthur Dignam
- Brendan Fraser
- Cornelia Hayes O'Herlihy
- Curtis Harrington
- David Dukes
- David Millbern
- Ian McKellen
- Jack Betts
- Jack Plotnick
- Jesse James
- John Gatins
- Judson Mills
- Kevin J. O'Connor
- Lisa Darr
- Lolita Davidovich
- Lynn Redgrave
- Mark Kiely
- Martin Ferrero
- Matt McKenzie
- Pamela Salem
- Rosalind Ayres
More details
| author | Bill Condon Christopher Bram |
|---|---|
| award | Academy Award for Best Writing, Adapted Screenplay National Board of Review Award for Best Film National Board of Review: Top Ten Films |
| contentLocation | California |
| director | Bill Condon |
| editor | Virginia Katz |
| events | suicide |
| genre | drama |
| keywords | boris karloff bride of frankenstein depression elsa lanchester film float frankenstein gas mask george cukor grow up homosexuality james whale kiss locker room morning reminisce retire stroke suffer suicide note tease world war i world war i gas mask |
| musicBy | Carter Burwell |
| nomination | Academy Award for Best Actor Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress Academy Award for Best Writing, Adapted Screenplay |
| producer | Gregg Fienberg Mark R. Harris Paul Colichman |
| productionCompany | Flashpoint Lions Gate Films Showtime |
| publisher | Downtown Pictures Lions Gate Films |
| recordedAt | California Vancouver |
| theme | biographical biographical drama filmmaking independent lgbt-related |