I was entranced by this film from the very beginning. As it develops, the film shows how Mr. Whales tried to express the horror he experienced in the trenches of war in the horror scenes he constructed on film. The stark, screaming realities run parallel, such as when we see the Frankenstein monster superimposed over No Man's Land, with the terrain and lightning effects showing disturbing similarities between war footage and the footage in Whales' horror films. Similarly macabre humor is pointed out between various monster scenes and the horrific humor we learn Whales has had to participate in while in the trenches.
All the major actors in this film give excellent performances. Sometimes I was sympathetic to James Whale, and sometimes I loathed him, but I never grew tired of him. This was, I believe, at least as much a result of excellent direction as of McKellan's talent. Brendan Fraser's character (Clay) likewise presents as a person of complexities, whereas Clay could have easily been a one-dimensional pretty boy.
Ultimately, I believe this film's strength lies in its director's sensibilities and interpretation.
All the major actors in this film give excellent performances. Sometimes I was sympathetic to James Whale, and sometimes I loathed him, but I never grew tired of him. This was, I believe, at least as much a result of excellent direction as of McKellan's talent. Brendan Fraser's character (Clay) likewise presents as a person of complexities, whereas Clay could have easily been a one-dimensional pretty boy.
Ultimately, I believe this film's strength lies in its director's sensibilities and interpretation.