Breaking Down The Boundaries
Netflix’s Blonde is drenched in controversy and daring narrative choices, stirring the pot in Hollywood once again. Ana de Armas steps into the towering heels of Marilyn Monroe, the most iconic blonde bombshell of all time. This isn’t your classic biopic, folks. Andrew Dominik’s direction takes us on a rollercoaster that blends fact and fiction, with some fans shouting “bravo” and others demanding “blasphemy!”
“After much hype, Andrew Dominik’s Blonde has landed on Netflix, starring Ana de Armas in the titular role – and it’s by no means an easy watch.”
The Twisted Relationships That Never Were
Perhaps one of the most shocking angles of the film is the portrayal of Marilyn Monroe’s relationships, fictionalizing trysts with the sons of Hollywood royalty. Sure, some of it is grounded in a semblance of reality, but the film takes creative liberties.
“In particular, the drama reimagines Monroe’s relationships with Charlie Chaplin’s son, Charlie Chaplin, Jr, and Edward G Robinson’s son, Eddie Robinson Jr, and suggests she was in a polyamorous triad with the pair, which is not actually based in fact.”
So, who are these men in the imaginary life of the celluloid goddess?
The Men Who Weren’t
Cass Chaplin: Hollywood’s Forgotten Son?
Cass Chaplin, born Charlie Chaplin Jr., had a life that somewhat paralleled his legendary father. Though his journey was cut short, his legacy remains part of Hollywood’s intricate tapestry.
“Cass died in 1968 in Hollywood, California, at the age of 43.”
Eddie Robinson: The Other Leading Man
Eddie G. Robinson, another Hollywood scion, had the privilege of sharing screen time with Monroe, but his life’s script was also shorter than the epics his father starred in.
“Eddie died on February 26, 1974, in Los Angeles, California, at the age of 41.”
Setting The Record Straight
The film flirts with real-life rendezvous that both Cass and Eddie had with Monroe but heightens the drama by interlinking these affairs into a made-up ménage à trois.
“It appears that although aspects of Blonde’s three-way romance have their basis in reality, no such relationship between Monroe, Chaplin and Robinson actually existed.”
The fact-checking might disappoint some, but the lens through which Blonde views Monroe’s life offers a fresh, albeit controversial, perspective.
Fact, Fiction, and the Marilyn Monroe Legacy
Amid the swirls of fiction, Blonde runs the risk of diluting the true essence of Monroe’s life, leading some to argue the film might be exploitative.
“It’s a move that has drawn plenty of criticism from fans and critics alike, with many questioning whether the film has abused and exploited Monroe all over again.”
A Daring Narrative Move or A Step Too Far?
Blonde may raise eyebrows, but it also sparks conversations about narrative freedom and the ethics of biographical storytelling. Love it or loathe it, the film pushes boundaries, offering an intriguing reexamination of Hollywood’s eternal fascination with Monroe.
In a cinematic landscape chock-full of biopics, Andrew Dominik’s Blonde is a mesmerizing enigma that offers more questions than answers. So whether you’re a Monroe superfan or a casual Netflix surfer, you’ll find something in Blonde to keep you talking.
