"Monster's Ball" is a slow moving but intense southern drama which tells 2 stories about 2 different people. The title pertains to the last preparations made for a prison inmate as he takes his last journey down death row.
But this movie is not about prison, inmates, guards or the rights and wrongs of the death penalty. It is about prejudice and racism.
The story centers on Hank Grotowski who is a quiet and embittered middle-aged man with a job as head corrections officer. We also get introduced to his family which consists of his son Sonny and his aging, racist father Buck.
Buck's hatred seems to have poisoned the entire family. He is blind to everything regarding his son Hank. I don't believe that Hank is a routed racist like him. In my opinion he is rather a desperately conflicted son who tries to live up to his fathers expectations.
Hank has no control at home. So the only self-respect he has comes from his work. When Sonny, who works with him, disappoints Hank and in effect rejects the only thing that his father takes pride in Hank becomes very enraged. At one point Sonny even asks: "Do you really hate me?" .
It is sad to say that Hank really dislikes his own son. But as I see it he hates him because Sonny is himself. He does not pretend to be a racist just for his father. He has more courage than him and Hank knows it.
Hank is angry and disgusted at himself. When Hank beats Sonny up there is a black officer who tries to restrain him. Hank replies to him: "Get your hands off me, you n*****." But the officer insists "Hank this ain't you".
This guy knows Hank better than the audience does, so we should believe him. Sometimes other people see us better than we see ourselves.
Hank's loyalty to his father Buck and his inability to break with him costs him his son. Sonny commits suicide. Hanks life is about to turn at this point.
At the beginning of this film there is an execution to take place. It is the execution of Lawrence Musgrove who has spend 11 years on death row.