Monster's Ball is a 2001 American drama/romance film directed by Marc Forster and written by Milo Addica and Will Rokos. It was produced by Lions Gate and Lee Daniels Entertainment. The title comes from a custom in medieval England where prisoners awaiting execution were called monsters. The night before their execution, their jailers would hold a feast known as a monster's ball as their final farewell. Halle Berry won the Academy Award for Best Actress for her role as Leticia Musgrove.
Set in the Southern United States, 'Monster's Ball' is a tale of a racist white man, Hank (played by Billy Bob Thornton), who falls in love with a black woman named Leticia (Halle Berry). Ironically Hank is a prison guard working on Death Row who executed Leticia's husband (Sean Combs). Hank and Leticia's interracial affair leads to confusion and new ideas for the two unlikely lovers. Written by Anna
Hank Grotowski (Billy Bob Thornton) is a prison guard. He works with his son, Sonny (Heath Ledger), and lives at home with his racist father, Buck (Peter Boyle). Lawrence Musgrove (Sean 'Puffy' Combs) has just been executed and a horrible tragedy has happened at home. Now, Hank has just met Leticia (Halle Berry), a young black woman struggling to make ends meet and they quickly fall in love to ease each other's pains. If only he knew that Leticia is Musgrove's widow... Written by Will
