Monster's Ball (2001)

After a family tragedy, a racist prison guard re-examines his attitudes while falling in love with the African-American wife of the last prisoner he executed.

Director:

Marc Forster

Writers:

Milo Addica, Will Rokos

Stars:

Billy Bob Thornton, Halle Berry, Taylor Simpson

Won 1 Oscar. Another 14 wins & 23 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Billy Bob Thornton	...	Hank Grotowski
Taylor Simpson	...	Lucille
Gabrielle Witcher	...	Betty
Heath Ledger	...	Sonny Grotowski
Amber Rules	...	Vera
Peter Boyle	...	Buck Grotowski
Charles Cowan Jr.	...	Willie Cooper
Taylor LaGrange	...	Darryl Cooper
Yasiin Bey	...	Ryrus Cooper (as Mos Def)
Anthony Bean	...	Dappa Smith
Francine Segal	...	Georgia Ann Paynes
John McConnell	...	Harvey Shoonmaker
Marcus Lyle Brown	...	Phil Huggins
Milo Addica	...	Tommy Roulaine
Leah Loftin	...	Booter

Storyline

Set in the Southern United States, 'Monster's Ball' is a tale of a racist white man, Hank, who falls in love with a black woman named Leticia. Ironically Hank is a prison guard working on Death Row who executed Leticia's husband. Hank and Leticia's interracial affair leads to confusion and new ideas for the two unlikely lovers.

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Plot Keywords:

dysfunctional family | interracial sex | father son relationship | electric chair | prison guard | 

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Taglines:

A lifetime of change can happen in a single moment.

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Genres:

Drama | Romance

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for strong sexual content, language and violence

Did You Know?

Trivia

The film cast and crew includes three Oscar winners: Billy Bob Thornton, Halle Berry, and Heath Ledger; and two Oscar nominees: Milo Addica and Will Rokos.

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Goofs

In the hospital Laetitia has two huge blood stains on the left side of her shirt. When she arrives with Hank at her home, the shirt is clean.

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Quotes

Hank Grotowski: Let's get this over quick.
Minister: is there a passage you'd like me to read?
Hank Grotowski: No, all I wanna hear is dirt hit that box.

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Crazy Credits

Thanks to Sam, Austin, Gabrielle. Scott Lambert is thanked twice.

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Alternate Versions

The Australian DVD release is the uncut version which carries a label saying "explicit version: not seen in cinemas"

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Connections

Referenced in Bar Rescue: Momster's Ball (2016)

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Soundtracks

License to Kill
(1983)
(as "Licensed to Kill")
Performed by Bob Dylan
Written by Bob Dylan
Published by Special Rider Music (SESAC)
Courtesy of Columbia Records
By Arrangement with Sony Music Licensing

User Reviews

Southern Gothic - dark and disturbing

Monster's Ball is a compelling film of family conflict, rage and redemption. Halle Berry throws herself into this role like a prizefighter who leaves it all in the ring, and wins by unanimous decision. Billy Bob Thornton gives an electrifying performance as a man grappling with his demons and wanting his better self to emerge victorious.

This movie is a study in ambiguity. The characters are complex with human imperfection, no one (with the exception of Hank's father, played by Peter Boyle) emerging as completely likable or entirely bad. Hank's son played by Heath Ledger fulfills the adage that no good deed goes unpunished, and it's never clear that anyone truly gets whats coming to them.

I'm not sure one should read too much into this movie as a study of attitudes towards race in today's America, but as a portrayal of human frailty and the continuing quest for hope and optimism, Monster's Ball is a can't-miss film experience.

Details

Official Sites:

Official Facebook Vidio [Indonesia]

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

1 March 2002 (USA)

Also Known As:

Monster's Ball

Filming Locations:

Laplace, Louisiana, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$4,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$110,552, 30 December 2001

Gross USA:

$31,273,922

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$45,011,434

Company Credits

Production Co:

Lee Daniels Entertainment, Lions Gate Films

Technical Specs

Runtime:

111 min 112 min (unrated director's cut)

Sound Mix:

DTS Dolby SDDS

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1