Gods and Monsters

Updated June 26, 2020 | Infoplease Staff

A finely wrought character study of James Whale, the director of Frankenstein and The Bride of Frankenstein, who also dabbled in art and acting and died mysteriously in 1957. McKellan flawlessly portrays the complicated man, who was openly gay when most of Hollywood's homosexuals remained closeted. The film observes the friendship that developed between Whale and his hunky gardener, Clayton Boone, played magnificently by Fraser. Whale was immediately attracted to the heterosexual, and though reluctant at first, Clayton is drawn to Whale's animated, lurid tales of behind-the-scenes Hollywood. McKellan gives an Oscar-worthy performance.