Gods and Monsters ★★★½ 1998 Although British director James Whale (McKellen) had a varied (if short) Hollywood career in the '30s and '40s, his name rested on his Universal horror films: "The Invisible Man," "Frankenstein," and "The Bride of Frankenstein." Now long-retired and suffering from ill-health, the openly gay Whale lives quietly in L.A. with his protective housekeeper, Hanna (Redgrave). Whale does enjoy the company of his new gardener—hunky, hetero ex-Marine Clayton Boone (Fraser)—but a stroke has left the director with a confusing sense of reality—returning him to his soldiering days in WWI and "Frankenstein" re-creations. Brilliant performance from McKellen, with solid support from Fraser and Redgrave. Based on the novel "Father of Frankenstein" by Christopher Bram. 105m/C VHS, DVD, Wide. Ian McKellen, Brendan Fraser, Lynn Redgrave, Lolita (David) Davidovich, David Dukes, Kevin J. O'Connor, Brandon Kleyla, Jack Plotnick, Rosalind Ayres, Arthur Dignam, Jack Betts, Martin Ferrero;
Director:
Bill Condon;
Writer:
Bill Condon;
Writer:
Stephen M. Katz;
Cameo:
Carter Burwell. Oscars '98: Adapt. Screenplay; Golden Globes '99: Support. Actress (Redgrave); Ind. Spirit '99: Actor (McKellen), Film, Support. Actress (Redgrave); L.A. Film Critics '98: Actor (McKellen); Natl. Bd. of Review '98: Actor (McKellen), Film; Broadcast Film Critics '98: Actor (McKellen).
