The Speech We Should've Heard

I loved Monster, it was the most moving film I saw this year, and I'm shocked (but in a pleasant way) that it was made and has been so widely acclaimed. Director Patty Jenkins was able to step away from Aileen Wuornos the "Monster," and make a movie that was more nuanced than Nick Broomfield's sham of a documentary and beautifully acted by Charlize Theron and Christina Ricci. However, I wish Theron had gone out of her way (in any of the many spotlight moments she's had) to mention what really made this movie special.

Here's the speech we heard:

This has been such an incredible year. I can't believe this. I don't have a lot of time. I have to thank my incredible director, Patty Jenkins. Thank you, thank you, thank you. All of our producers, Brad, Clark, Meagan, Mark, Donald, Sammy Lee, everybody at Media 8, Bob and everybody at Newmarket, thank you so much for working so hard on this film. My incredible, incredible leading lady Christina Ricci, who I couldn't have done this film without. You are truly the unsung hero of this film.

The Speech we didn't hear:

I'd also like to acknowledge Aileen Wuornos, who lived a more complicated and difficult life than I can imagine. Even though I never met her, through her words and memories I felt like I was inside her head, and although it was not a pleasant experience, the reward of having a greater understanding of her life outweighs all of the awards and acclaim that have come to me. I hope that interest in the movie outlives all of us and humanity can continue to learn from Aileen's tragic story. And obviously, if it wasn't for her life I would not be on this stage today.