via Netflix
Another day, another controversial Netflix film that has divided the crowds. Last month, the long-awaited Marilyn Monroe biopic, directed by Andrew Dominik and starring Ana de Armas, released and prompted many negative reviews calling the cinematic account “unwatchable “and “triggering”. So let us give you our opinion and tell you what you need to know about the film.
What is Blonde really about?
Based on Joyce Carol Oates’ blockbuster novel, Blonde reimagines the life of one of Hollywood’s most iconic legends: Marilyn Monroe. The film crosses the border between fact and fiction to explore the growing divide between Monroe’s public and private personas, beginning with her tumultuous youth as Norma Jeane and continuing through her rise to celebrity and romantic entanglements.
Blonde takes a unique spin by not centring around the glories of being Marilyn but rather the traumas she endured to become every man’s favourite woman. With a focus on Monroe’s painful moments with fame, objectification by every man in the world, failed attempts at becoming a mother as well as an unhappy childhood, the biopic includes graphic scenes of rape, abortion, and explicit notations of being enslaved by Hollywood to be a sex icon rather than a serious actress. That being said, this film may be too triggering for some and is by no means for the faint-hearted.
via Ei Nerd
Who can deny Ana de Armas’ luminous performance?
We cannot deny that the rising Latina star, Ana de Armas, blessed us with a phenomenal performance of the late Hollywood icon Marilyn Monroe. Capturing her voice, movement, and persona with astonishing accuracy and grace, Ana’s epic portrayal of Monroe made it difficult to look away, even for those who disliked the film.
via Vogue
Why has Blonde been so vigorously lashed?
There is no doubt that almost every critic and viewer hated Blonde with the fire of a thousand suns. This mainly results from the intensity of the film’s painful scenes, which account for most of it, with one trauma being presented after the other from the beginning of the film. Although, artistically speaking, the filmmakers recalled doing this on purpose to highlight the pain that Monroe went through in every stage of her life. Despite this, many viewers feel it was overly done and unnecessarily so.
via Vulture
What is the true message behind this film?
We think the message behind this biopic is painfully undeniable: The struggles beautiful women must go through to be loved, taken seriously, and survive in this world are many and far from easy. When you watch the film, it is almost impossible not to feel sympathy for Monroe and, let’s face it, many other women like her.
Therefore, we advise you to see this distressing artistic piece for the lesson it is rather than the traumatising scenes it includes. Although Monroe took her own life decades ago and at a very young age, it is never too late for us to have this uncomfortable talk about how society treats women of beauty and, in some cases, pushes them to their own demise.
