Gods and Monsters (film)

Gods and Monsters is a 1998 BritishAmerican drama film that recounts the somewhat fictionalized last days of the life of troubled film director James Whale, whose experience of war in World War One is a central theme. It stars Ian McKellen as Whale, along with Brendan Fraser, Lynn Redgrave, Lolita Davidovich, and David Dukes. The movie was directed and written by Bill Condon from Christopher Brams novel Father of Frankenstein. It was executive produced by British horror novelist Clive Barker.

The story opens in the 1950s, after the Korean War it has been more than a decade since James Whale, director of Frankenstein and Bride of Frankenstein, has retired. He lives with his longtime housemaid, Hanna, who loyally cares for him but disapproves of his homosexuality. Whale has suffered a series of strokes that have left him fragile and tormented by memories growing up as a poor outcast, his tragic World War I service, and the filming of The Bride of Frankenstein. Whale slips into his past, and indulges in his fantasies, reminiscing about gay pool parties and also sexually teasing an embarrassed, starstruck fan who comes to interview him. Whale battles depression, at times contemplating suicide, as he realizes his life, his attractiveness, and his health are slipping away.Whale befriends his young, handsome gardener and former Marine, Clayton Boone and the two begin a sometimes uneasy friendship as Boone poses for Whales sketches. The two men bond while discussing their lives and dealing with Whales spells of disorientation and weakness from the strokes. Boone, impressed with Whales fame, watches The Bride of Frankenstein on TV as his friends mock the movie, his friendship with Whale, and Whales intentions. ........

Source: Wikipedia