Plot Details: This opinion reveals major details about the movie's plot.

In 1989 - 1990, when Aileen Wuornos was terrorizing the highways and byways of Florida with her spree, I was a high schooler in the Northeast. The significance of the US's first real "female" serial killer didn't hit me. As a feminist, I don't think I'd really be too thrilled that we broke the glass ceiling in this area, either.

Anyway, Aileen, who preferred to be called "Lee", first came to my attention when Charlize Theron won her Oscar for the brilliant movie "Monster". I watched the movie after hearing so much about Ms. Theron's stellar performance.

After watching that movie, I decided I needed to know more about Aileen. What was her childhood like? Did she have help? How the bleep could Ty "Tyria", her lover/partner, be as clueless as she was?

The Selling of A Serial Killer doesn't answer all these questions, however it does share a most interesting story that picks up where "Monster" lets off.

From watching the movie, you wouldn't know that "Lee" was adopted by a 40-something born-again Christian named Arlene Pralle. Arlene started a media machine stating that Lee was not the type of person to do this. She seemed really kind. However, in this documentary, Arlene and Aileen's new lawyer seem to go to great lengths to try and profit off of the case.

The documentary film-maker jumps through so many hoops to get to Aileen. In the end he meets her. She's soft-spoken and feels used by the people who are supposed to help her. She is resigned to the fact that she will probably die (which she does) for these killings, but maintains that she did it out of self-defense.

Given the fact that one of her 'kills' had a history of violent rape, and did harm her, perhaps she was triggered.

At any rate, Aileen does pay for her crimes and other people get paid for them. It seems that the serial killer was also a victim herself in many ways.

However, I am NOT saying it excuses what she did; it just brings a new perspective to it.

Recommended: Yes

Viewing Format: DVD
Video Occasion: None of the Above
Suitability For Children: Not suitable for Children of any age