The fact that British character actor Ian McKellen is so good in "Gods and Monsters" will come as no surprise to those who know his work.
That the film comes from Bill Condon — the director of the second "Candyman" movie — probably is, however.
This biographical drama (based on Christopher Bram's fact-based novel "Father of Frankenstein") does lose its focus toward the end, and the concentration on the lead character's homosexuality may come as a shock to some unsuspecting audiences.
But for the most part, the latter aspect is handled tastefully and with good humor. In fact, the film's often macabre sense of humor is what saves it in the end. Along with excellent performances by Lynn Redgrave, Brendan Fraser and especially McKellen, as director James Whale (best known for the black-and-white movie classics "Frankenstein" and "Bride of Frankenstein.")
Like its source material, "Gods and Monsters" covers the later period of Whale's life. As the tale begins, the reclusive filmmaker is in retirement and living in Los Angeles.
However, he is wracked with terrible headaches and is haunted by flashbacks. Worse, he is seriously contemplating suicide — at least until he meets Clayton Boone (Brendan Fraser), a handsome gardener.
Whale actually persuades Clayton to pose for one of his sketches, and as the two begin talking, they find that they have a lot in common, including traumatic childhoods. But their nascent friendship is threatened by the specter of Whale's past, and Clay- ton's misconceptions regarding Whale's sexuality.
Writer-director Condon nearly makes up for his shlocky moviemaking past by deftly balancing the dramatic and fantasy elements of the story. And his dialogue is intelligent and believable.
Filmmaking-wise, the re-creations of the "Bride of Frankenstein" set are astonishing, as is a years-later reunion between Whale and that film's stars, Boris Karloff and Elsa Lanchester (both played by well-cast supporting performers).
But the whole thing still might have fallen apart if not for McKellen, who makes Whale so fascinating that the film could have worked as a monologue. And an unusually restrained Fraser is quite likable, as is Redgrave, playing Whale's loving German housekeeper.
"Gods and Monsters" is not rated but would probable receive an R for profanity, vulgar sexual double-entendres and use of crude English slang, full male nudity, wartime violence and a brief brawl, hospital gore and simulated sex.