« today’s quote | Home | Review: Blind Horizon (2003) »
Review: Blonde (2001)
By vrtualme | July 30, 2008
Poppy Montgomery (“Without a Trace” 137 episodes, 2002-2008) is quite convincing as Marilyn Monroe in the made for TV miniseries Blonde (2001). Directed by Joyce Chopra (Murder in a Small Town 1999), scripted by Joyce Eliason (Elvis and Me 1988) and based on the book by Joyce Carol Oates (Frequent contributor to “Playboy” magazine) this movie is based on the premise “what if Marilyn could tell you her secrets” and tell you her secrets it does. 
I was amazed at all the things I didn’t know about this soft voiced legend. Also appearing were Patricia Richardson (“Home Improvement” 202 episodes, 1991-1999), Patrick Dempsey (“Grey’s Anatomy” 78 episodes, 2005-2008), Griffin Dunne (After Hours 1985), Eric Bogosian (Talk Radio 1988), Richard Roxburgh (Van Helsing 2004), Kirstie Alley (Look Who’s Talking 1989) and Ann-Margret (2 time Oscar nominee for Tommy 1975 and Carnal Knowledge 1971). Even if you’re not a huge fan it’s still an interesting watch; skipping the big moments that everyone knows about and focusing more on the moments that shaped her personality. (sorry, this is the best I could come up with for a trailer.)
August 1st, 2008 at 6:29 am
I understand the frustration and confusion of people watching this version of Marilyn’s life,especially those who didn’t read the book or understand that this was a piece of fiction. Joyce Carol Oates took a lot of liberties IMAGINING what Marilyn went through and felt at various points in her life and came up with this amazing empathic story. She tried to fill in the flesh and blood around the bones of the fascinating, complicated and controversial story of the life of Marilyn Monroe. As people have said, she is commenting on how women are used, how in particular sexy women are used or abused in our society, and how a beautiful, resourceful, and creative but damaged woman tried to battle the men, the system,and her demons to survive.