MovieChat Forums > Monster's Ball (2002) Discussion > Utterly contrived.

Utterly contrived.

posted 9 years ago by Degree7
3 replies | jump to latest

A racist prison guard, who also has a racist father, executed a black inmate and falls in love with his wife. The wife has an overweight son, who is killed by a hit and run while the prison guard is driving along. The prison guard's son also kills himself because.... More forced drama. The prison guard and wife fall in love because.... Plot requires it. The racist father causes some more animosity between them.

This is what we call generic Oscar bait. It wasn't enough that we have a racist working on death row with black inmates, we also have a suicide and a murder, and falling in love with the inmate's wife. Everything about this is so artificial, like a list of dramatic cliches. I'm amazed they couldn't fit a few more subplots in there about the son being gay and the husband contracting HIV/AIDS.

~ I'm a 21st century man and I don't wanna be here.

[–] SalmanZaki1991 9 years ago

Even though I love this movie, that last part of your post was just hilarious! =P

[–] PopperTheKungFu-Dragon 9 years ago

I know. I really thought I'd love this movie given the setting and my love for settings such as this, but everyone was so cliched and contrived that I just found myself laughing at how silly it was. And Berry's performance was cringe-worthy. Must be one of the worst Oscar wins ever.

Poorly Lived and Poorly Died, Poorly Buried and No One Cried

[–] jtfastwebscholarships 8 years ago

I completely do not understand your disdain for Halle Berry. Of course, you are entitled to your own opinion, but I have come across two post where you've slammed her performance. Halle has absolutely nothing to do with writing and I accept the notion that the story was every cliche dramatic plot in a blender, but the acting was impeccable. Halle went deep into her character and showed much range. This movie broke so many rules and was very original. The rawness of characters, the gritty setting, and the long silences created an intriguing experience while watching the film. Berry's performance was captivating and she truly soared in this film. I do not know how anyone could find it laughable when this movie dealt with so many heavy subjects. She's way more than another pretty face and people seem to love to hate her because she's supermodel-level beautiful and uber talented. Ultimately, her Oscar was well deserved and her speech was recognition of the historic moment that had occurred. And come on about being the worst Oscar win ever, remember Cher beating Glenn Close or dare I say Julie Andrews winning for Mary Poppins.