This is truly an excellent movie. I like how it stays pretty morally relativist and allow the viewer to see that Wuornos actually was a monster.
I for one are am very glad that she's dead. It's a proven fact no murderer who receives the death penalty had ever re-offended.
Theron earned her Oscar with this one.
Certain people deserve to die, but I think we should dispense the death penalty to the greatest degree possible. I'm glad people like Aileen Wuornos are dead. I'm sick of the radical feminists who claim she was acting in self defense or who think it's wrong to execute women but perfectly acceptable to execute men.
shareI personally do not agree with the death penalty, not because i believe it morally wrong or because i think that it is injust and inhumane, but purely because i believe that a little injection and a long sleep is an easy way out compared to victims who have been brutally murdered and raped. I think a life sentence where murderers will be continually attacked and beaten by fellow prisoners is a much better punishment.
In Aileens case i dont think she should have been given the death penalty because on watching footage about her, it was evident that she wasnt in the right state of mind, she was absloutly off her rocker. Of course she murdered men, she knew what she was doing and she contiued to do it to some innocent people, however isnt there something in the law somewhere that states that a person who is not right in the head cannot be put to trial, most certainly not to death?
I loved this film, i thought Charlize theron was absaloutly breathtaking and completely and utterly desearved her oscar.After watching the documentry on the real Aileen Wurnos it was clear to see instant similarities. For those who are very quick to condemn her, the documentry did make you feel pity and saddness for a woman who was a victim of rape and brutality from a very early age. (i am not saying that excuses murdering people)
I bet that you look good on the dancefloor
Holy *beep* that would be a runon
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Many people seem to draw the line at *gender*. Men are evil while women are just "off their rocker" and in need of "help" and "compassion". As a woman, it's disgusting to see how this killer received so much support from feminists, etc simply because of her gender.
shareActually women are often more harshly judged than men. In the Moors murder case Ian Brady who committed the murders is less notorious than his girlfriend Myra Hindley who helped him lure the victims. Aileen Wuornos's case got much more publicity than the case of the Green River Killer who murdered 48 women.
Its not just feminists. There were just as many men who were arguing she is mentally ill as women. If a person believes that they are going to heaven in a space ship when they die, that they are being poisoned and people put a chip in their head to monitor their actions and that police were following them the whole time and knew they were committing murders but did nothing its not that far fetched to think they are mentally ill especially when they are trying to get themselves executed (by firing their lawyer and not hiring a new one, contradicting witnesses to their defense) so have no motive for an insanity defense. Its not because of her gender Clifford Olsen and Scott Pannetti are being
defended on the grounds of mental illness and if you've seen the film about The Boston Strangler it is sympathetic to him on the grounds of mental illness.
I always thought Feminism was about equality, not praising or making excuses for all women.
There is this bizarre assumption that any woman must be, deep down, a decent person, no matter who or why or how she kills.
There is little empathy granted to male serial killers (nor should there be) simply because they may have had an abusive childhood. Women, it seems, kill for the same reason they shop or cheat or cook: it's really out of a desire for love.
Especially when her victims are male.
Nonsense. It has been shown that men get harsher sentences than women. Take Mary Winkler. She brutally murdered her husband in his sleep and only got 60 days.
Or take Nikki Redmond. She murdered her boyfriend by shooting him in the back and got acquitted because she is a woman (there was no doubt whatsoever she did it).
Response to naughtibutnice's post:
You know they don't always put people to death with lethal injection, some people are executed using the electric chair or firing squad still, but it's based on the offenders request.
Also, don't believe what you see in the movies about prison, people aren't continually attacked & beaten by fellow inmates, if your not in a gang & don't get into debt or trouble with the gangs your gonna be left alone. Hell if there on death row not only are they going to be killed one day, they also have to spend 23 hours a day in there cell alone, sometimes not even being allowed to buy a TV set to have in there, someone just sentenced to life will get to spend most of the day out of there cell, going outside, interacting with other people, even getting a job inside the prison to pass the time, and can buy a TV to have in their cell which believe it or not comes with cable.
As for the "not being in the right state of mind" getting her off that's not true, it's when the person didn't know what they were doing was wrong or illegal, and she clearly knew that killing those people was wrong & against the law.
OMG, she's DEAD?!
Killing people is easy...if you can forget the taste of sugar.
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I think a life sentence where murderers will be continually attacked and beaten by fellow prisoners is a much better punishment.
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Hey you are so smart topic creator; i just loved how u pasted a huge spoiler in ur title u ignorant fool. You make me sick.
Oh, well. The "she" could mean anybody, if you want to take it that far. Likewise, I have little sympathy for people who comb an IMDB message board for a movie they haven't seen yet and then scream about spoilers.
You're probably one of those people who hasn't seen the last season of the Sopranos and cries foul when people talk about its finalie.
Boo Hoo.
NEXT!
You obviously must hate the fact of a prostitute killing you! Well you are breaking the law too just by seeing a prostitute and Aileen was raped and that was what started her to hate men especially the ones that always went looking for pros.!
"Show me some Positivity"
That doesn't mean they deserved to die and even if they did, she had no right to make judgment and execute them.
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Battered Woman Syndrome?
She just couldnt take the abuse anymore. I think she should've been put into an institution, not killed.
"It Can't Rain All The Time"
-Brandon Lee- The Crow
That dog doesn't hunt. Many male serial killers had abusive mothers or fathers. If you think the same applies to them then I respect your opinion.
"I hate to say this, but this place is getting to me. I think I'm getting the Fear."
She was abused to the point of insanity, I think she was beyond respecting rights.
shareAgree with Sandraxx. I guess such a grudge can not be understood without going through that kind of hell situation.
shareSo, no male rapist / pedophile deserves any sympathy despite how awful their past may be, but a woman who MURDERS a bunch of people deserves all the sympathy and understanding in the world??
You know what I have to say to that? FCK YOU!
Murder is still worse than rape, you psychopaths.
I think we should institute the death penalty for speeding.
share"You obviously must hate the fact of a prostitute killing you! Well you are breaking the law too just by seeing a prostitute and Aileen was raped and that was what started her to hate men especially the ones that always went looking for pros."
Actually it apparently started when she was eight, she mentioned a friend of her father had sex with her at eight and her father beat her. That would be pretty traumatic. That's a case that can cause someone to legitimately hate men.
Many male serial killers had abusive mothers. I don't think that excuses their crimes. I don't see why her being female changes anything.
"I hate to say this, but this place is getting to me. I think I'm getting the Fear."
Women also generally get lighter sentences than men for the same crimes. It's time to put an end to benevolent sexism.
I don't like the way blood money spends.
you put the spoiler in the *beep* subject, loser. one doesn't have to "comb" the board to see it.
shareAnybody who didn't have their head up their ass during the early 90s knew that Aileen Wuornos was executed before they watched the movie.
shareYou do know that this movie is based on real life, right? He's glad that she is really dead.
shareZaibutzu, ITS BASED ON A TRUE STORY YOU MORON, ALL YOU'D HAVE TO DO IS LOOK ONLINE TO SEE IT YOU DUMB *beep* She was executed in 2002, its not a spoiler if you don't live in a goddamn cave.
um for one yes she is dead but how is it all her fault did u watch the movie she got hurt a lot of times so that is why she murdered the men someone has to fell sorry for her i do thank u and she did a bad thing so that was bad as well
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wat r u talking about
shareI feel sorry for her. She had a hard life and she wasn't right in the head. But I guess thats no excuse of what she done.
shareLet's keep in mind something about this movie. It's based on the story SHE gave. It's herside. Was she attacked? Of course shes gonna say she was. Let's see it from the other side and I'm thinking she won't come through looking so sad and pitiful. If those things happened to her, then I feel for her. But how many rape or molestation victims willingly decided to become a prostitute? And willingly decide to carry a gun? And willingly decided to kill multiple people? Oh wait! Seems its just her. So no offense to her, but the title of the movie had it right. Monster.If she were a man who killed prostitutes, we wouldnt be talking about "Oh poor pitiful guy". Great movie (I personall own a copy. Damn good movie), but lets get real about how terrible it was for her. Think how terrible it is for the men she killed and their families. Last i checked, hiring a prostitute wasnt punishable by death.
shareMy mom worked in a home for girls who had been abandoned, and alot of them had been sexually molested. Alot of them were also sexually promiscuous and some of them were prostitutes. You saying that not many rape and molestation victims become prostitutes is way off.
If you were paying attention to the beginning of the movie, she had a gun because she was going to kill herself. And even if she wasn't going to, how many prostitutes get murdered or just mysteriously disappear? I should certainly hope they carry around some form of self defense.
On her killing the first guy; screw him, he deserved it. I might believe that the other ones she killed, she was actually insane and truly believed those people were out to hurt her (I too saw the documentary and was shocked she was put to death. She thought the cops were shrinking her brain!!) That last guy, however, completely inexcusable. He didn't deserve what he got and she knew it. All he was trying to do was help her out and he was murdered for it. My heart aches for that poor man's family. But in a way, I ache for Aileen too.
For me, it was when she decided to quit hookin. She sat on the bed with Selby and talked about all of her dreams and it was just so sad because she just didn't realize that none of those things would ever happen for her. But she still went out and tried and it just blew up in her face.
I don't know. This was a tough one for me. When I first saw this movie, it was before I had befriended some of the girls where my mom had worked. But after seeing the life they live and their lack of choices, its made it hard for me to truly hate her.
She was abused as a child, as that other person said, that kind of trauma would take you beyond the capacity of willingly "choosing" to become a prostitute or "carry a gun". She wasn't normal, so did not willingly "decide" as your regular, unabused joe would.
shareYou've got to be kidding thinking prostitutes don't arm themselves. For some the weapons called a PIMP. You know the fluorescent slime with the gun pointed at your back !
I would guess the % armed is closer to 100% than your perception.
Guy killing prostitutes. Prostitute killing johns. Apples & oranges.
Not even worth a consideration.
Last i checked, hiring a prostitute wasnt punishable by death.
What type of people are worth less than others? Can you seriously be suggesting that because a person is a prostitute their human life is worth less than another?
shareA lot of people have opinions about what's right and wrong but I wonder how many have any compassion for people?
share"It's a proven fact no murderer who receives the death penalty had ever re-offended. "
Idiot. That's not even funny. Pure lame.
Idiot. That's not even funny. Pure lame.
To prove killing is wrong, we execute the person.
How odd.
The way this topic thread started, it disgusted me with the sheer lack of compassion and its glib cruelty and condemnation! But the thread improved as I scrolled down, and I just wanted to say to miamisfootballplaya: thank you!!! People like you restore our faith in the goodness and kindness of the human spirit! Thanks also cbminfo, you really know your stuff!!!
For the person who started this thread and some of those people who responded to her in horrible agreement, I only hope that if any of you are ever in a tight spot, that you don't find people like yourselves to judge you; hopefully you'll have someone like miamisfootballplaya....
That does sound ironic.
I don't think killing is categorically wrong, though. You may not never want to take a life, but good people are sometimes forced to do so.
Wantonly killing an innocent for no reason related to defense is wrong; killing the killer, and thereby eliminating a significant threat to other innocent lives, is not. Odds are, you're doing so out of a sense of rightness, justice, and charity, rather than "sinking to their level" and doing it purely for pleasure, satisfaction, greed, or whatever. To be on their level, you have to kill innocents for no acceptable reason in the first place.
The way I basically see it is that someone forfeits his/her own right to life when s/he violates someone else's. When it comes to capital punishment, I kind of want to be against it, but find that I can't completely be when I consider the cases of people who seem to be forces of pure evil--who have undeniably committed heinous crimes, and are unlikely to be successfully "rehabilitated." (For most of them, the very thought sounds absurdly worthless, and almost insulting to the victims.)
But what best to do with those that should not and do not deserve to continue living (in peace, anyway?) Ensure that the rest of their days are filled with worse than what their victims endured thanks to their actions? Hand them over to the victims' loved ones? Keep them in a dungeon of a prison, even though the thought of anyone's money going toward keeping them alive feels reprehensible? Or simply execute?
In the case of this film's subject--well, I can understand why people sympathized with her and did not all believe that she deserved the death penalty. (The way the movie portrayed her, at any rate.) Her life circumstances being what they were, she'd hardly had a basis for developing a "normal," healthy, well-adjusted moral compass. It's almost surprising that she wasn't more unhinged and volatile than she was. She seemed to think that her kills were righteous because she was getting rid of bad men--rapists, child molesters, etc. She had a conscience, a sense of right and wrong. Her final murder, of the completely innocent and kind man who was only trying to help her, was certainly the most unforgivable...at the very least, her anguish and guilt over "having" to do it was plain to see. She felt trapped and that, for self-preservation's sake, she had no other choice. I think it's nearly impossible not to sympathize with that woman for all of the especially horrific things that happened to her, and shaped her as she grew up...and to understand why she ended up the way she was, doing what she did...
Yet, she still clearly needed to be stopped, and punished. Her taking matters into her own hands had gone much too far; the killing streak was just a downward slope from a guy who deserved worse than what he got, to people who shouldn't have been killed at all. She could not keep on trying to justify killing more and more people in the attempt to escape with Selby. The real-life Aileen was apparently a liar and had had much more of a (squandered) chance at a better life than movie-Aileen did. Both MUST have suffered from mental illness.
That was how I saw it.
it will be someone like you that will make a person like her!!
sharewow stupid opinion for a number of reasons, but i find it most amusing to point out: the title of the movie and its point had more to do with how she was viewed as a monster by the time her sentencing came around and yet seeing her life your supposed to have some understanding of how she was driven to be such a broken person as well as the other monsters she encountered in her life. its called monster for exactly the reason that you supposed to feel like its hard to just label her a cut and dry monster by the end when you saw all the human emotions and suffering she went through. even if she no doubt ended up going crazy and killing w/o justification.
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Aileen Wuornos was no doubt hit in the head several times and is reported to have lost the hearing in one ear after a beating but you're taking the movie too literally, it is not a documentary. Some of the scenes are based on events that MAY have actually happened but most scenes are inventions of the writer. The scene of the first killing is based on a story of Aileen's but several things vary from her story, probably to make a clearer visual picture. For examples Aileen claimed that the man squirted rubbing alcohol from a small container like a Visine bottle which would not have shown on screen as well as the big bottle used in the movie and she claimed to have been tied to the steering wheel which would not have been as good a camera angle as stretched out across the seat. The screen writer says her script is based on events in the life of Aileen and are the "spirit of the truth" but not attempts to recreate actual events. About 4 scenes are fairly close to what was said to be actual happenings. The goodbye at the bus depot and the capture by police at the Last Resort are two more of those scenes.
shareThe death penalty is so far from any sort of good morality. How can we in our own weaknesses judge another being worthy of death? Its a judgement we cannot make, only God is allowed to judge somebody worthy of death.
The death penalty goes all the way back to primitive revenge justice, which we should be able to overcome as a supposedly moral society.
I have absolutely no patients for people who are for Capital punishment or Abortion. We can't take life for God's sake!
Last film seen: Monster 9/10