Gods and Monsters

Name: Gods and Monsters
Genre: Biography, Drama
Released: November 4, 1998
Duration: 105 min
Rating: 74
Cast: Brendan Fraser, Ian McKellen, Lynn Redgrave

1998

METASCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 32 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 33 Ratings

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7.6

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7.6	User Score Generally favorable reviews based on 33 Ratings

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Gods And Monsters

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Movie Details & Credits

Lions Gate Films | Release Date: November 4, 1998 | R

Starring: Brendan Fraser, Ian McKellen, Lynn Redgrave

Summary: Hollywood history comes to life in this tale of the last days of Frankenstein director James Whale (McKellen). Long forgotten by the studios, Whale has retired to pursue painting and a life of leisure. Gods and Monsters explores his final fascination with a handsome gardener, Clayton Boone (Fraser). (Lions Gate Films)

Director: Bill Condon

Genre(s): Biography, Drama

Rating: R

Runtime: 105 min

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Critic Reviews

100

Bob Stephens

One of the most complex and powerful literary scripts in recent times. Read full review

Mr. Showbiz Kevin Maynard

A profoundly moving human drama, a quasi love story about two lost men who form an unlikely friendship.

Susan Wloszczyna

Chances are, the more you love classic cinema, the more you will find Gods is your cup of tea. Read full review

Kenneth Turan

There are so many colors to McKellen's performance, so many diverse emotions fleetingly play on his face, that resisting his art is out of the question. Better work by an actor will not be seen this year. Read full review

Mark Caro

An engaging character study full of lyrical images and strong performances. It's an exceedingly well-made film. Read full review

Jonathan Lethem

A showcase for a uniquely sympathetic virtuoso performance by legendary stage actor Ian McKellen in an otherwise minor film. Read full review

David Edelstein

Psychologically thin, artistically flabby, and symbolically opaque. Read full review

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User Reviews

HaleyA.

Apr 7, 2008

Amazing film! Probably one of the best films about alternative lifestyles ever made, and surely one of the most genuine and understanding film dealing with that subject. Ian McKellen is wonderful as James Whale, and, I think, should have won the Oscar that he lost out on. Brendan Fraser Amazing film! Probably one of the best films about alternative lifestyles ever made, and surely one of the most genuine and understanding film dealing with that subject. Ian McKellen is wonderful as James Whale, and, I think, should have won the Oscar that he lost out on. Brendan Fraser delivers one of his best performances, and was sadly overlooked by many critics. This is a very touching story about two lonely men (a rich, gay, former film director, and a straight, ex-marine, gardener) that form a friendship and help to mend each others wounds, so to speak. If you haven't seen this film, give it a look. It's a beautiful work of art that has gone somewhat unnoticed.… Expand

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DawdlingPoet

Apr 3, 2022

This is an interesting film about the life of someone I wasn't familiar with beforehand. Ian McKellen undoubtedly gives a stellar performance as Mr. Whale, a retired director who is/was known for being openly gay, although younger men seem unaware of this. Also undoubtedly this film may makeThis is an interesting film about the life of someone I wasn't familiar with beforehand. Ian McKellen undoubtedly gives a stellar performance as Mr. Whale, a retired director who is/was known for being openly gay, although younger men seem unaware of this. Also undoubtedly this film may make for slightly uncomfortable viewing at times, when it's made plainly clear that James (Mr. Whale) is making subtle moves at people - primarily the new gardener, Clayton Boone, played by Brendan Fraser. Its a fairly understated film and its relatively thought provoking, in as much as it may make you wonder about the true meaning behind Mr. Whales fiction work - the symbology/metaphors present and the like. It's a bit sad but mostly a film to ponder over, I suppose, which is something Mr. Whale himself may have said. I suppose, at its essence, its a film about identity. It has somewhat of a poignancy to it.

I don't know how accurate, or not, this film is but its certainly worth seeing for Ian McKellen's performance alone, I reckon, although Brendan Fraser does also play his character quite well too.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

FadeBlack

May 3, 2017

A few delightful scenes sprinkled in a very monotonous, highly uneventful movie that tries to scratch toward something deep, but never really reaches anywhere.

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

bataguila

Nov 20, 2018

Cine gay. asu favor aprendes algo del director, y de la producción de frankenstein, pero muy floja las actuaciones de todos los q no son ian.

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

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26	#26 Best Movie of 1998
87	#87 Most Discussed Movie of 1998
93	#93 Most Shared Movie of 1998