Tag: arthur-miller

On the heels of the first teaser for Andrew Dominik’s new movie, ‘Blonde’ comes the first full trailer. Though it really is just an extension of that initial look, probing a little deeper into the world of Marilyn Monroe.

Adapting Joyce Carol Oates’ novel, this is described as a “reimagining” of Norma Jean’s/Marilyn’s life. So don’t expect gospel truth, but then truth was never always at the forefront of Marilyn’s story. At least for the public. “Watched by all, seen by none” runs the telling tagline on the trailer.

From her volatile childhood as Norma Jeane, through her rise to stardom and romantic entanglements, ‘Blonde’ blurs the lines of fact and fiction to explore the widening split between her public and private selves. Norma Jean is here brought to life by ‘Knives Out’ and ‘No Time to Die’ rising star Ana de Armas.

“Andrew’s ambitions were very clear from the start — to present a version of Marilyn Monroe’s life through her lens,” says de Armas. “He wanted the world to experience what it actually felt like to not only be Marilyn, but also Norma Jeane. I found that to be the most daring, unapologetic, and feminist take on her story that I had ever seen.”

“The film moves along with her feelings and her experiences,” de Armas adds. “There are moments when we are inside of her body and mind, and this will give the audience an opportunity to experience what it was like to be Norma and Marilyn at the same time.”

The ‘Blonde’ supporting cast surrounding de Armas plays a variety of characters, some with codenames such as “The Playwright” – who is surely Arthur Miller – and “The Ex-Athlete” – Joe DiMaggio, one of Marilyn’s other famous husbands. The ensemble includes Adrien Brody, Bobby Cannavale, Toby Huss, Julianne Nicholson, Spencer Garrett, Scoot McNairy and Garret Dillahunt.

This take on her experiences gave Dominik real scope to explore the private life of an icon. “She’s deeply traumatized, and that trauma necessitates a split between a public self and a private self, which is the story of everyone, but with a famous person, that often plays out publicly, in ways that may cause additional trauma,” he says. “The film’s very much concerned with the relationship with herself and with this other persona, Marilyn, which is both her armor and the thing that is threatening to consume her.”

Dominik has had to wrangle with plenty of opinions on the film and its subject as he’s pushed the passion project through production. Controversy arose over the film’s NC-17 rating and its gritty depiction of sex and addiction, which were part of Norma Jean’s life.

“I seem to get myself in these situations where people regard me as provocative, but it’s never what I’m trying to do,” the director argues. “I’m just trying to say it as clearly as I can. My ambition is to make you fall in love with Marilyn.”

‘Blonde’ will arrive on Netflix on September 23rd.