The streaming service Netflix has come under intense scrutiny over the past week following the release of two new projects: a miniseries centered on the life of serial killer Jeffrey Dahmer and a film based on a fictional novel about Marilyn Monroe. Both of these projects were produced by Netflix.
Since its premiere on September 21, Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story has been the target of criticism for its allegedly “insensitive” portrayal of Jeffrey Dahmer, who is known for being a notorious sex offender as well as a serial killer. After the producers allegedly failed to notify the victims’ families that the series was being produced, many family members of the victims have claimed that they have been “retraumatized” as a result of watching it.
It would appear that the latest film starring Marilyn Monroe, Blonde, is not an exception to the public criticism either.
The film is an adaptation of the fictional novel written by Joyce Carol Oates, and it stars Cuban-Spanish actress Ana de Armas as Marilyn Monroe. The movie clocks in at almost three hours long.
Oates has stated on multiple occasions that her book, which was released in the year 2000, is a work of fiction and should not be considered a biography. She claims that many viewers of the film are unaware of this fact while they are observing it.
Oats, in an interview with the Financial Times, had this to say about the film adaptation: “It’s very painful and touching, not a feel-good movie, not Gentlemen Prefer Blondes… It’s about a woman who has been exploited by Hollywood, exploited by men.”
Monroe, who died of an overdose in August of 1962, was constantly underestimated, and she became typecast as a “dumb blonde” in her acting roles. The author also added that she believes Monroe felt “degraded and humiliated and inadequate” as a result of this. Monroe died of an overdose in August of 1962. “I think she may have died of something like extreme despair,” Oates stated.
During the Golden Age of Hollywood, Marilyn Monroe has always been widely regarded as a sex symbol. However, the movie depicts her desperation in trying to give audiences the blonde bombshell persona they desire. In addition to this, it discusses the actress’ struggle with mental illness as well as her traumatic childhood, which was marked by an unloving mother and an absent father.
Ana de Armas, who played the iconic silver screen star and wore a platinum wig and red lipstick for the role, spoke with Queue prior to the release of the film and said the following: “[The director’s] ambitions were very clear from the start – to present a version of Marilyn Monroe’s life through her lens.”
“He wanted the world to experience what it actually felt like to not only be Marilyn, but also Norma Jeane. I found that to be the most daring, unapologetic, and feminist take on her story that I had ever seen,” the 34-year-old added.
On the other hand, the narrative is not devoid of disturbing undertones; audiences reported feeling “disgusted” after being exposed to multiple depictions of rape within the film, in addition to depictions of nudity and acts of violence.
One user tweeted: “Blonde is one of the worst movies I’ve seen all year. Some creative filmmaking aside, it’s borderline tone deaf how detached this film is from Marilyn Monroe and her absolutely tragic life.
“It’s so pretentious and exploitative that it’s just unwatchable. Absolutely awful.”
Blonde is one of the worst movies I’ve seen all year.
Some creative filmmaking aside, it’s borderline tone deaf how detached this film is from Marilyn Monroe and her absolutely tragic life. It’s so pretentious and exploitative that it’s just unwatchable. Absolutely awful. pic.twitter.com/8qrW5Eu8H7
— Kyle Snape (@kylemsnape) September 28, 2022
“I just watched the movie Blonde with Ana de Armas… Do not even waste your time with this movie… Its the most disgusting, exploitative, distasteful and disrespectful f***ing biopic I’ve ever watched in my life… Shame on everyone that took part in this shit [sic],” another added.
https://twitter.com/katbritzke/status/1574123342289809409?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1574123342289809409%7Ctwgr%5Ec27f1688fa280a5b890e013e806b33076fb95fbc%7Ctwcon%5Es1_c10&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fvt.co%2Fentertainment%2Fdisgusted-netflix-viewers-turn-off-unwatchable-blonde-after-just-minutes
A third user chimed in: “Blonde is an exploitative, misogynistic, borderline torture film that berates an already tragic figure. De Armas is good but the cruelty behind the made-up narrative and the unfocused direction takes away from her presence. This was an awful experience. Painful to watch. One [star].”
#Blonde is an exploitative, misogynistic, borderline torture film that berates an already tragic figure. De Armas is good but the cruelty behind the made up narrative and the unfocused direction takes away from her presence. This was an awful experience. Painful to watch. One ⭐️! pic.twitter.com/xQgjVCuoM8
— 🇵🇷Dr. Gabe🏳️🌈 (@Gabuchogram) September 29, 2022
Although there were some users who enjoyed the movie, it seems like these comments are few and far between. One person wrote: “Just watched Blonde and I loved Ana de Armas [praise hands emoji]. The story was very touching, at times also disturbing I also loved the direction, the music, the different colors used to express every feeling she felt in the various scenes I just LOVED this movie! I hope to see it at the Oscars.”
Just watched #Blonde and I loved Ana de Armas 🙌🏻
The story was very touching, at times also disturbing
I also loved the direction, the music, the different colors used to express every feeling she felt in the various scenes
I just LOVED this movie!
I hope to see it at the Oscars— Manu 🌙 (@BlanchettStone) September 28, 2022
Netflix is currently offering viewers the opportunity to view the film Blonde, which was helmed by Andrew Dominik and was produced by Brad Pitt. I was wondering what your thoughts were on the movie.
