Dennis Empson

Brilliantly creative and emotionally powerful. It seems to aim at the essence of Marilyn, even though we can presume that some of the specific scenes were invented, to convey a mood which feels strongly consistent with what is known about Marilyn. Ana De Armas gives a breathtakingly heartbreaking performance that will deserve the bucketful of awards I expect are forthcoming. The film, however, must be watched with an open mind that can absorb frequent impressionistic flourishes that strain against the boundaries of conventional story-telling techniques. If you can approach the film with that in mind, you will find it a rare and special experience.

So rapidly edited the action sequences are unfathomable, and when not are so unrealistic as to be ludicrous. No closure is given because this is clearly intended to be part One of a franchise. Just lively enough to be mildly diverting, if logic and characterization don't matter to you.

It's boring, psuedo-intellectual critic bait, filled with copious, often confusing, flashbacks which attempt to edify an essentially nonsensical plot. The main 'maguffin' - a stolen child's doll - appears to be almost emulating the 'rosebud' sled from Citizen Kane, to much less effect. The confusingly ambiguous ending leaves you wondering why you suffered through the preceding Two hours, hoping for a satisfying conclusion. I imagine it has proven critic-proof due to it's combination of trendy deliberately obscuring ultra-closeups and virtually black visuals appearing in an almost totally woman- made production.

The film may be (as some critics have posited) full of possible metaphors or symbols, but without a realistic explanation for the bizarre happenings, the last 20' become merely a draggy, maudlin attempt to explain to those - who should mostly already know - that random (and sometimes inexplicable events can have life-changing significance. So, the ending merely bores you and explains nothing remotely original about the human condition.

Frothy, sophisticated charm, expertly delivered and a delightful window into a period and culture that exists no more, but you might wish it did.

A brilliant timeless classic which, however requires a willingness to see the dazzlingly written and staged comedy inherent in the truly darkest of characters and situations. The blackest of black comedy and One of the very best.