Certification. 18
Running Time. 2 hours 47 mins
Director. Andrew Dominik
Cast. Adrien Brody, Bobby Cannavale, Ana de Armas, Julianne Nicholson.
Rating. 28%
Blonde is a faithful adaptation of Joyce Carol Oates' novel of the same name. Not so much of a true biography of Marilyn Monroe, but rather a fictional account of the tragic life of one the most famous women to ever live.
The physical transformation of Ana de Armas is truly spectacular. The resemblance is unnerving, and for the most part, the actress sounds like a breathless Monroe, although occasionally her Latino lilt is evident in the characteristic semi-whispers. Nonetheless, Ana de Armas delivers a powerful performance.
Blonde is an examination of identity - a story of a troubled dual persona. Writer and director Andrew Dominik ensures that the closer we get to Monroe, the more we pity her. A chronicle of trauma - rape, physical abuse, mental abuse and eventually drug-induced depression - Blonde is a punishing watch. An ordeal, if you like. I found it difficult to watch an individual repeatedly suffer so much.
Iconic, identifiable moments and relationships are depicted. Blonde successfully recreates the publicity shot from The Seven-Year Itch, Monroe emerging from a limousine at the premiere of There's No Business Like Show Business, a newlywed Monroe in a pale blue summer dress in the Hamptons and the final professionally shot images of Monroe, George Barris' photoshoot of Monroe at the beach in a sweater. But ultimately this is one of the film's main failings. Blonde is a collage of iconic images and a series of set pieces rather than a coherent or compelling storyline.
The film is exceptionally well produced. At times beautiful, at other times repugnant and sordid. Most certainly, too long, and too self-indulgent. Blonde is perhaps, too experimental. Whilst striking in moderation, continuously mixing film type, aspect ratios and camera positions rapidly becomes tiresome. The cinematography is far too gimmicky, employing a sperm animation segue, a waterfall transition and a vagina cam. At one point, Monroe even vomits on the camera itself.
In my opinion, Blonde fails because amidst all the ugliness on display, no empathy is ever generated for a vulnerable character who is clearly manipulated, used and abused. A film to be endured rather than enjoyed.
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