Purely Joyful Movie!

One of the worst movies I've ever seen

Great visuals, story delivers no surprises

Great Film overall

This movie affected me on so many levels. It was so brilliantly done. The performances were intense and so believable I found myself crying in parts. What is a sign of brilliant acting is the fact that Charlize Theron succeeded in making us sympathize with her character despite the fact her character was a cold blooded killer. In fact in the attempted rape scene where she retaliates and murders the man I was silently cheering. To say Charlize Theron deserved that Academy Award is an understatement her performance is so flawlessly brilliant that she's barely recognizable as the blonde beauty she is in real life. This movie is frighteningly brutal in it's honesty. I cannot recommend it enough!

I can't understand the number of reviewers on this board who feel that the character of Aileen Wuornos was given sympathetic treatment in the picture. Sympathetic? Really? If you didn't get the impression that she was a mentally defective, vicious and sadistic killer, than I don't know what movie one might have been watching. Aileen is all of that, as she slides off the rails of humanity while still believing she's a real good person.So as far as the story goes, I think the film did a good job of portraying the real Aileen Wuornos, and is perhaps confirmed by reviewer 'piXelpiXelpiXel' commenting on a real life experience with the former prostitute. But in any event, one cannot disregard the stunning portrayal by Charlize Theron of the story's central character. When the picture first came out, and even today, I can't wrap my head around Theron's appearance as Wuornos, with the blotchy face, the weight gain and the dental implants. Her mannerisms and facial tics as well lend an eerie presence to the glamorous actress that I wasn't prepared for back then, and am still mesmerized by today.As Wournos's friend Selby, Christina Ricci is generally competent, but I just didn't get the attraction between the pair. Then again, I can't imagine anyone being attracted to a figure like Wuornos, who even if she had cleaned up some of her act, would have stood out as something of a hillbilly. As dramatic and nerve wracking as the story was though, I almost cracked up at one point when Selby turns to Aileen and states "We can be as different as you want to be, but you can't kill people". It was offered almost like career advice and struck me so oddly that I had to stop the film at that point to ponder what Selby said.Anyway, this is not a film for entertainment purposes, pretty much the title tells you that much. However it is a provocative film experience that will test your emotions, so be prepared for some unsettling responses to the story.

(Originally review: 09/03/2017) Charlize Theron is absolutely brilliant, however I found the film simply just good. This is a picture that's not easy to watch at times, there's a lot of unpleasantness but at least there's a point and the story is told quite well for the most part. Patty Jenkins's direction is swift and most impressive, much like Theron's performance as serial killer Aileen Wuornos, within the role you can see Theron disappearing into character and never fading out, the character is of course unlikeable but there are scenes where I could sit back and watch with ease, these include romantic exchanges between Theron and Christina Ricci who play's her lover Selby and the film really glides when these two are on screen together. The picture is well shot, purposely grim, and boasts a watchable supporting cast, that includes Bruce Dern (Thomas) and Annie Corley (Donna/Selby's stepmother). There's a lot of sexual nature and there anything but enjoyable because it constantly ends uncomfortable or in bloodshed. Some of the dialogue isn't too good, and I felt the picture became morally nasty in the second half, but I was at least aware not to let my emotions get the better of me, and concede that this is at the very least a well-crafted, good piece of filmmaking that may not be great script wise but most definitely keeps itself interesting and is competently directed and contains two strong performances from Theron and Ricci.

I just finished watching this film and, I must say, I am in a mixed state of both disgust and awe.First off, let's get down to the brass tacks on something: Aileen Carol Wuornos was a vicious, psychopathic misanthrope who murdered without remorse or regret to satisfy her lust for the blood of her fellow man and her intemperate greed. She was pure evil; plain and simple. That being said, this film is the worst kind of tripe; a story full of deliberate misandric falsification to lend sympathy to a barbaric serial murderer, with the star (Theron) admitting to the lack of factual representation.Not only am I insulted by the creators of this filth having wasted my time, but I am also disgusted with the lack of regard to the real victims' loved ones, and in awe of how degraded society has become; that there are people who would actually go as far as to make a movie like this.If you have not yet seen this movie, I suggest you pass it up.