The Secret Life of Marilyn Monroe

I was glad that when plot involving the mental side of Marilyn the movie didn't include any wield scenes about mental hospitals. Some trivia about mental hospitals. Most of or even possibly all of the people admitted to a mental hospital smoke cigarettes. That to me should be a near secondary concern next to other health issues cigarettes have on the body but is ignored mostly by all the worldly public. Most mental people on a day to day basis cope with being there almost as well as any student in a regular school so on that level it's difficult to tell the difference between whatever intense crazy and normal. Mental drugs vary from intense effect with the thought of how did they ever get legal to others with very little or no effect all. A very popular approved mental drug with no effect is paliperidone, the most being a feeling of a gentler emotion, gentler more so with the injection style compared to the pill style and it costs $1800 to $2900 for a 90 day supply. Enough of that. I have the Marilyn movie on DVD transferred to PC hard drive. The first time I watched it non stop from beginning to end and I've sorta watched the beginning for a second time. The movie is entertaining and Kelly does a good job being Marilyn, her voice being very likable. Susan does a good good as her mother and she is a very believable mental patient. One goes away from the movie with a much greater understanding of Marilyn's private life. I'm glad I have the movie memory.

Finally, an actress who captures Marilyn Monroe in all her mannerisms, voice, looks, personality (Kelli Garner). Previous Monroe portrayals are easily forgotten in light of this lovely reproduction of the tragic star's vulnerability, charm, sexiness & spunk. Why did it take so long? Susan Sarandon as mother Gladys is also excellent & typical of Sarandon's professionalism in playing a supporting role with grace and class. The other players are well cast where it matters most: looks, demeanor, voice, such as Pat Kennedy Lawford with a Boston accent. Joe DiMaggio is lean and angular; Arthur Miller smokes a pipe. Not to simplify the elements of writing and direction, but as I said, previous Monroe biopics have failed at the most elemental level: when Marilyn is in front of the camera, she'd better be a decent reincarnation. This movie nailed it.

This is a rather shoddy production that at times seems outright exploitation. Kelli Garner is not much of an actress, looks nothing like Monroe, and does a terrible imitation of her iconic voice. Susan Sarandon is surprisingly bad in the role of her mentally ill mother and it's some of the worst work she has ever done. The other actors do what is required of them and while this is all interesting at times, overall it isn't very enlightening. The standout in all of this is Emily Watson as Marilyn's aunt. As is often the case, Watson rises above a travesty and walks out of the ruins with her head held high. Wells she might for she not only gives a superb performance but brings a touch of real class to the proceedings. She gives her part a depth and humanity that's absent in the other characters that populate this film. For her moving and beautiful portrayal alone this lackluster mess is awarded 6 additional stars to the 2 it deserves on its own merits.

It was such a nice change to see a movie of Marilyn Monroe depicting her personal life and struggles.I have read many many books on Marilyn and I thought this was spot on. Congratulations to Lifetime Movies. Also congratulations to Kelli Garner and Susan Sarandon. It was difficult for Susan as in real life Marilyn did not spend a lot of time with her mother. Apparently Marilyn always lived with a fear of inheriting her mother's mental illness. It was also nice to still enjoy a movie on Marilyn Monroe after such a long time after her death.I believe Kelli captured Marilyn's voice extremely well. I thoroughly enjoyed it and recommend it to others for viewing. Thanks!!!

its virtues - the good intentions to present a realistic portrait of her life. reminds of memorable scenes. the admirable work of Susan Sarandon. the atmosphere. Emma Watson. the desire of Kelli Garner to be Marlyn Monroe and the run to give the impression to be the perfect choice for act she ( voice, walk, physical appearance, gestures). its sins - the title who seems escaped from a scandal newspaper because the revelation are not news and it is bizarre to pretend present a complex biography in each of its details. the ambition to tell all in a mini series and the taste of improvised puzzle. the hard work of Kelli Garner to convince the public than she is the best Marlyn. the ambition is real admirable and the result far to be bad but , scene by scene, it becomes strange. a beautiful series. that is its basic good point. for remind. for rediscover. and for give new shadows to a myth.