Monster’s Ball (2001)

My Review

“Monster’s Ball” is a drama film about a racist prison guard who somehow becomes involved with an African-American woman. As the relationship develops, it is revealed that they have ties to stunning events of the past. Director Marc Forster (“Quantum of Solace” 2008) developed quite a complex, engrossing, and somber film depicting people’s real life situations. The extraordinary screenplay was written by Milo Addica and Will Rokos.

Hale Berry and Billy Bob Thornton delivered remarkable performances, probably the best of both actors’ careers. Hale Berry won the Academy Award for Best Actress, the first black woman to receive the prized statuette. (“Monster’s Ball” received one other nomination for Best Original Screenplay.) Co-stars include Heath Ledger, Sean Combs, Mos Def, Peter Boyle, Coronji Calhoun, Ciaran McDaid, Charles Cowan Jr., and Taylor LaGrange as Darryl.

The watchable “Monster’s Ball” was a hit at the box office for producer Lee Daniels, Lee Daniels Entertainment, and Lionsgate Films. Warning: This film is rated R for explicit nudity, violence, and language, including racial epithets.