Welcome to Screen Gems, our weekend dive into queer and queer-adjacent titles of the past that deserve a watch or a re-watch.
The Hollywood Story: Gods and Monsters
Awesome? Magnificent? Captivating? Sublime? We’re not sure there’s a superlative in the English language that can do Sir Ian McKellen justice.
For proof, look no further than McKellen’s 1998 breakout performance in Gods and Monsters. Then in his late 50s, McKellen had only appeared in a handful of movies, relegating his spellbinding acting abilities to stage performances. Subsequent to the release of the film, he would score his first Oscar nomination and land the roles of Magneto and Gandalf that would cement his status as a screen legend.
But it all began with Gods and Monsters. In the film, McKellen plays Frankenstein director James Whale–a man who lived an openly gay life throughout his career in the early 20th century. By the 1950s, however, Whale’s star had faded, and a ministroke had robbed him of his creative drive. The story picks up just after Whale’s stroke, when a handsome young gardener named Clay Boone (Brendan Frasier) comes to tend to Whale’s bushes. Whale finds himself attracted to the younger man, and the two begin an oddball friendship as Boone begins posing for Whale to sketch. As Whale faces unpleasant truths about his waning life, Boone begins to face his own insecurities around his own background and masculinity. Is Whale trying to create his perfect mate? Or does he want something darker?
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Writer/director Bill Condon won a well-deserved Oscar for his screenplay, based on a novel by Christoper Bram. McKellen also should have won for his heartbreaking performance (sorry, Roberto Benigni). The actor brings a natural pathos to Whale: he is, by turns, hilarious, dirty, and deeply ashamed–not of his sexuality, but of his lower-class upbringing under an abusive father, and his betrayal of an early boyfriend during World War I. Fraiser also delivers the best performance of his career as Boone, a man whose brutish masculinity hides a childlike fear. Touching, stylish, and featuring one of the greatest performances in movie history, we cannot recommend it highly enough.
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KyleMichelSullivan
Lovely movie. Sir Ian was robbed…but watching how happy he, Brendan and Lynn Redgrave were when Bill Condon got his Oscar for the screenplay almost made up for it.
lather
Loved the movie and all the cast. Sir Ian is certainly a treasure. Thanks for the reminder.
Fahd
This is a good movie; definitely worth seeing if you haven’t.
MacAdvisor
And worth seeing again if you have seen it.
kenso
My husband used to be a flight attendant with Qantas and as he worked in 1st Class and Business, he met quite a few celebrities.
He texted me from work one day to say that Ian McKellan was on his flight. I said to tell him “Gods and Monsters” was one of my favourite films. Which he did.
Sir Ian was apparently a delight. He sat up in the galley with Ross, my husband, and did crossword puzzles together when he was bored. I now have a Qantas menu with “HI Mark, Sorry to miss you on the flight, love, Ian McKellan XXX” on it.
An amazing actor and a really nice guy.
Josh447
That’s so cool. I had a similar surprise encounter at a restaurant on Sunset Blvd in Weho outdoors sitting next to James Coburn. We ended up having lunch together for about an hour. I was pretty even while we chatted but afterwards driving home, I gotta say, I flipped out!
Josh447
That’s so cool. I had a similar surprise encounter at a restaurant on Sunset Blvd in Weho outdoors sitting next to James Coburn. We ended up having lunch together for about an hour. I was pretty even while we chatted but afterwards driving home, I gotta say, I flipped out!
Cam
I’ve never seen this one. I’ll have to check it out!
jackmister
I loved this movie. Lynn Redgrave was hilarious as the maid. We still quote her: “Expect nothing fancy.” and “He is not my tea cup” (cup of tea). Too bad Frasier never lived up to his potential. He was good in this film and showed a lot of promise. McKellen was stupendous in his role. He was creepy but so sympathetic. I also thought the art direction was spot on.
Chrisk
Always wondered what happened to Brendon. I think part of it was losing his hair and gaining all that weight.
Cam
@Chrisk
In fairness, according to IMDB his first movie was 30 years ago. So he isn’t going to look the same.
kenso
From what I’ve read, Brendan Frasier’s career hit the skids when. he refused to play “casting couches” for various Hollywood heavyweights. A big shame as not only was he very hot, but he was, and probably still is, an excellent actor in both comedic and dramatic roles.
Jimmer
What are you people talking about? Brendan Frasier is still a movie star with many hit movies to his name.
The Mummy Series (3)
Crash
Bedazzled
Inkheart
Adventure to the Center of the Earth
I love Brendon.
JessPH
Brendan Frasier is incredibly gorgeous in this film.
Peter
When people ask me, “What’s your favorite movie?” I always say “Gods and Monsters.” It made a huge impact on me; the casting was perfect and the screenplay superb. I can’t say I was familiar with McKellen before that, but have loved him ever since.