Though the movie has a tone of gravity about it, the transformation of the protagonist, Hank, from a racist corrections officer to a kinder, more tolerant man, is not apparent. The movie does not adequately demonstrate the impact of Hank's son's suicide on him. The audience sees that he is gradually a changed man, but the logic of his reasoning and the gradations of his transformation remain vague. I had watched the movie "American History X" right before "Monster's Ball", and the contrast is striking. Whereas in "American History X", the transformation of the main character, a reformed Neo-Nazi, is clearly demonstrated by his attempts to navigate through the racial politics of prison life, "Monster's Ball" provides a weak glimpse into the interior psyche of the racist white Southerner.
If anything, this movie was created to showcase Halle Berry's impressive breasts and overall figure. In this respect the film has outdone itself. But to use a serious and weighty subject, like the contentious racial divide of the South, to display not only Berry's acting prowess but perky body as well, insults the importance of the social problems that the film inadequately probes. A movie inordinately preoccupied with situating Berry's character in sexual positions is more suited for the porn rack than the Oscars.
If anything, this movie was created to showcase Halle Berry's impressive breasts and overall figure. In this respect the film has outdone itself. But to use a serious and weighty subject, like the contentious racial divide of the South, to display not only Berry's acting prowess but perky body as well, insults the importance of the social problems that the film inadequately probes. A movie inordinately preoccupied with situating Berry's character in sexual positions is more suited for the porn rack than the Oscars.