

“Monster,” a Netflix release, is rated R by the Motion Picture Association of America for “language throughout, some violence and bloody images.” Running time: 98 minutes. And hopefully Mandler will get another shot at a film soon, as well, and that this time it won’t sit on a shelf for three years. Between “Luce,” “Waves” and this, it’s a wonder why he isn’t a bigger star.ĭespite some shortcomings though, “Monster” remains a worthy watch if just for Harrison’s performance.
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can’t help but be empathetic - he is superb in the role and masterfully conveys fear and deep anguish in the sometimes-tedious trial scenes. But as an audience member, there’s never that conflict - you never have any doubt that you’re rooting for Steve even as the ambiguity is teased out. The jury, we’re consistently told, is unconvinced too, and may have already made up their minds against him. Even Steve’s lawyer (Ehle) has limited hope that they’ll win. “Monster” is a commentary on the prejudgments that society makes about Black teenagers accused of crimes. This is how the book is structured as well, with Steve narrating his own story and waiting to reveal the whole truth. But at other points, it is simply a procedural and not a terribly engaging one at that since the audience is intentionally left in the dark about what he did or didn’t do.

Printz Award winner and New York Times bestseller Monster, adapted by Guy Sims and illustrated by Dawud Anyabwile Monster is a multi-award-winning, provocative coming-of-age story about Steve Harmon, a teenager awaiting trial for a murder and robbery. Heck, there’s even some “Rashamon” discussions with his film teacher (Tim Blake Nelson). A stunning black-and-white graphic novel adaptation of Walter Dean Myerss Michael L. Choose from Same Day Delivery, Drive Up or Order Pickup. At times it’s contemplative and poetic and there is a particularly harrowing scene, deep into the film, where you see the circumstances of Steve's arrest. Read reviews and buy Monster - by Walter Dean Myers (Hardcover) at Target. Wiley, Janece Shaffer and Radha Blank (whose 2020 Sundance film “The Forty-Year-Old Version” made it to Netflix before this). The book was adapted for the screen by Colen C. Where “Monster” stumbles is in its pacing.
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There’s no doubt that he knows how to compose a shot and make a great-looking film. Mandler makes “Monster” look beautiful, perhaps too beautiful at times, employing glossy commercial ready techniques that will certainly rub some the wrong way. It’s the first feature from director Anthony Mandler, a prolific and influential celebrity photographer, commercial and music video director, who has worked with everyone from Nike to Beyonce.
