Hammerman Ikon

Hammerman Ikon Film Guide

Gods and Monsters
1998
*****
Director: Bill Condon
Cast: $2y$10$rrvUt8oloTRg1tzI.SObC.rtQ3w4/01Ac6AIrz9v7rMhpzbO1NcF2

A terrific drama about James Whale, who was most famous for directing Frankenstein and Bride of Frankenstein in the 1930s. This fictionalised story is set in the 1950s, when he's a retired recluse who grows close to his new gardener. Ian McKellen is superb as the frail and openly gay director whose mind is increasingly haunted by his war memories. Bill Condon's subtle and funny screenplay, which is based on Christopher Bram's novel Father of Frankenstein, won an Academy Award.