• Drama
• History

Blonde 2022

Blonde 2022 biographical drama, written and directed by Andrew Dominik and adapted from Joyce Carol Oates's fictionalized novel of the same name, offers a harrowing and surreal exploration of the life of Marilyn Monroe, blurring the lines between the private Norma Jeane Mortenson and her public persona. The detailed plot chronicles her traumatic childhood with a mentally unstable mother, Gladys Pearl Baker, who attempts to drown her, leading to Norma Jeane's time in an orphanage. As she matures into the star "Marilyn Monroe," the film depicts her life as a relentless cycle of exploitation and abuse, stripping away the glamour of Hollywood to reveal deep psychological wounds. Her journey includes a polyamorous relationship with Charlie Chaplin Jr. and Edward G. Robinson Jr., a volatile marriage to "The Ex-Athlete" (Joe DiMaggio) marked by domestic violence, and a more intellectually stimulating but ultimately doomed marriage to "The Playwright" (Arthur Miller). The narrative is punctuated by graphic and controversial depictions of sexual assault by studio executives, coerced abortions, and a degrading encounter with the President (JFK), culminating in her lonely, drug-induced death in 1962. The film features a standout ensemble cast led by Ana de Armas, whose transformative performance as Marilyn Monroe/Norma Jeane was widely acclaimed. Supporting her are Julianne Nicholson as her mother Gladys, Adrien Brody as The Playwright (Arthur Miller), Bobby Cannavale as The Ex-Athlete (Joe DiMaggio), Xavier Samuel as Cass Chaplin, and Evan Williams as Eddy Robinson Jr. Critically, Blonde was one of the most polarizing films of the year; while Ana de Armas received an Academy Award nomination for Best Actress and praise for her uncanny resemblance to Monroe, the film itself faced a backlash for its NC-17 rating and what many critics described as an exploitative, "miserabilist" focus on Monroe's victimization rather than her agency or talent. Regarding its commercial performance, the movie was a streaming-first release with only a limited theatrical run, grossing a negligible amount (estimated under $30,000) at the box office, as its primary distribution strategy was focused on home viewing. It is currently available to stream exclusively on Netflix. Read More

• 2022
• 2 h : 47 min
• 9 views
• 5.328
• NC-17