Debbie Crimmins

I have seen most every movie about MM, but Ana de Armas is, by far, the best. She captured Marilyn’s look, voice, and unlike what some critics have noted, I never heard a trace of Ana’s Cuban accent. She is so believable as the vulnerable Marilyn. The only thing that may have been a little off were her breasts, which are seen a lot, but they were fine, just not as endowed as Monroe. The supporting cast was good, too, especially Adrien Brody as Arthur Miller. He’s always good. I don’t know where the fiction really is, but that’s the first time I’ve heard about her threesome with a couple of overindulged Hollywood brats. The only sex scene that I felt was uncomfortable was her tryst with JFK. The movie could be surreal at times, but it wasn’t too far out. I know why liberal critics are panning this movie because it shows the struggle that Marilyn had about an abortion and her regret. I, personally, found those scenes particularly well done and felt Marilyn’s despair and hopelessness in her situation with no one supporting or caring about her dilemma, other than to get it done. The movie can be a tad slow at times, but it kept my interest.

Watching, again, with my 14 year old grandson who I first introduced him to it at 7. James Mitchum is so menacing that you feel that underneath his skin is a monster. Shelley Winters could always play the victim so well, but Billy Chapin is the scene stealer as the boy who circumstances have caused him to grow up long before he should. Throw in Lillian Gish as Miss Cooper, a no nonsense caretaker of children whose parents are trying to work during The Depression, and you have a story of Good vs. Evil. Lots of tense moments and great acting. Too bad director Charles Laughton couldn’t see how this movie has risen to critical acclaim when it was poorly received when it came out, but now is considered a classic. The surreal effects are perfect. Wonderful film.