The Mystery of Natalie Wood

I've always been interested in Natalie Wood, but didn't know much about her except that she was a very glamorous Hollywood star and that she died tragically. This great film showcases Natalie's life, which came across just as tragic as her saddening death.

"The Mystery of Natalie Wood" is a long film and it is at times very hard to watch. As the film is set across her entire life, there is lots of time changes, which are established with a little caption, or a voice over from Lana Wood or someone else who are giving some insight into certain events in the film.

The cast are terrific. Justine Waddell seems like she was born to play the part of Natalie Wood. She does it with so much grace. Michael Weatherly and Matthew Settle are both a pleasure to watch in their respective roles as Robert Wagner and Warren Beatty, each helping to carry the film alongside Justine Waddell. Colin Friels is good as Natalie Wood's long suffering father, while Nathalie Roy didn't get enough screen playing Lana Wood, but when she was on screen, she was fabulous. It is Alice Krige, as Maria Gurdin, Natalie's dominant and overbearing mother, who portrays so well why Natalie's life was so tragic. Alice Krige is in top form here. Grace Fulton is of particular note as the young Natalie Wood also, and watch out for Australian celebrities Sophie Monk and Natalie Bassingwaighte as Marilyn Munroe and Marion Murchall.

This is really one of those films that you have to be in the mood to watch, have the time to watch, and be prepared to learn a lot about one of Hollywood's most iconic women. You may like to bring some tissues also - it's tremendously sad, and not only for Natalie Wood, but for those also who were part of her life.

The story of Natalie Wood takes the audience from before she was born (when her mother was told by a gypsy that her second daughter would be famous and beautiful, but that she should be weary of water) to the last days of her life (until her mysterious drowning death off of Catalina Island).

Justine Waddell does a wonderful job bringing the adult Natalie back to life. She looks like her and attempts to talk like her. Her role in the movie is more important and brings so much more life to the performance than any of the other characters combined. Her twice husband, Robert Wagner, was portrayed by Michael Weatherly, whose performance was just okay.

The big question of the movie is just how authentic it is. It was produced by Natalie's sister, Lana Wood, but after watching it one wonders just how true it all is, specifically the relationship between Natalie and her mother, Maria.

Many people have complained about the length of the movie (3 hours) but I don't find anything wrong with it. The time is well spent telling in detail all of the events of Natalie's dramatic life. Overall 9/10 for the story and the performance of Justine Waddell.

The actress who played Natalie Wood is a twin. There were parts in the movie where I wasn't sure if they were using footage of the real Natalie Wood. Case in point when she was playing Maria in West Side Story. The camera was showing her singing and I thought it was really Natalie Wood. Not only does she was very good in the part. Many a time they find a actor who looks like the person they are portraying but they can't act. This actress even had her walk down pat. I liked the movie it was no worse then some biops. Her mother was a nutcase. I would of liked to see more of her older sister Olga who I hear is still alive and who she was very close to. The actor who played Warren Beatty was very good, BUT I was not crazy about Michael Weatherly's portrayal of Wagner. I remember Wagner being very cute, thin and boyish even when he was in his 30's. Weatherly looked more like someone from Baywatch. I like Weatherly I watched him since he was on Loving. But not in this role. Also I would love to see what RJ has to say about this movie because he was not seen in a good light IMHO. God I remember when she died. I have been a fan of hers since I saw her in Miracle or 34th St. I felt on screen she really was able to transpire herself from a child actor to a adult very smoothly, like Elizabeth Taylor. Splendor in the Grass and WSS are my two of my favorite movies. I like the way the movie didn't try to smooth out the details of what might of happened the night she died. Try and clean it up. Natalie Wood was a drinker and RJ was a jerk who anyone probably would of tried to get away from. I myself of would of swam to shore in a hale storm to get away for RJ if he truly acted the way the movie showed. I remember hearing about her having a affair with Walken. But why would Walken go on a boating trip with them if it was true and knowing how much a jerk RJ was. And why would RJ have him on his boat. I always thought that was strange, the movie really didn't clear that up. But over all I like the reality footage mixed up with the movie footage. I enjoyed it enough to keep me watching for 3 hours.

I can't believe that this is a (TV) movie made by Peter Bogdanovich whom I admire for his delicious "Cat's Meow", "The Last Picture Show", "Paper Moon" and not to forget the medicore but joyable "The Thing Called Love". Natalie Wood's life and stories - I believe has to be much better than it. Especially, in Bogdanovich's hand, and the good choice actress : Justine Waddell, who's surprisingly playing Natalie so well, and also very very much look alike. To be honest, Waddell is the only thing that's good in this TV movie. (And I really hope she can find another good role for her talent and beauty).

while the rest of the cast are not so good, (maybe Alice Kridge's not that bad for her role of the crazy ambitious mother from hell, though) and they made this worse. I can't even really find the "Joan Collins" and much different Christopher Walken (not after the famous scene came out) , the one who plays James Dean also looked so different and can't capture Dean's spirit.

the plot also should've been better than it. Anyway, it's still pretty enjoyable to watch, but I still hope if only it's better than this.

I loved watching this on cable. I'm astounded by Justine Waddell's performance. Not only is she a Brit coping with a flawless American accent but she brings such warmth and charisma to the late, great star. There are times when you're watching the movie when you don't know if its her or the late Natalie Wood on screen. In particular there is a scene in West Side Story that's eerie. And a moving scene when she calls her mother that seems to come straight from Inside Daisy Clover. The script certainly isn't the best and the direction is hackneyed. Great actors like Alice Krige come off as ghoulish stereotypes. But watch it for Justine, her beauty, her talent and her ability to deal delicately with dark subject matter are totally apparent.