Jane Tanner

Marilyn Monroe was absolutely stunning. I know, I know, costumes make up hair lighting etc, but all that just made her MORE gorgeous. Charisma, wit, vivacity were part of Marilyn's It factor. Ms. De Armas doesn't come close. As interesting as the film's concept is, I found it unwatchable because without a real superstar, the story falls flat. Marilyn illuminated every scene, every room, and De Armas could be just any studio player from the Valley. I know critics disagree but this biopic, or quasi biopic, has zero sparkle and Marilyn sparkled.

I gave up my hopes as soon as the scene cut from the Vatican, where Russell Crowe drove his moped to meet some Church bigwigs, to Spain, where he arrives on his moped to exorcise a child. At least show him on a ferry or renting a different moped. But no --- five seconds later he's gone from Rome to Castile, and the family is wearing the same clothes they arrived in. The film is full of similar holes and time skips.The editor and director did a great disservice. It is not a bad story and Crowe is great but painful to see glimmers of interesting story which go nowhere.. The Inquisition angle should hve been the main story line.