What Is The Representation Of Monroe's Complex Identity In The Film Blonde

"Blonde," the film adaptation of Joyce Carol Oates' novel, offers a bold exploration of the life and tragic demise of one of Hollywood's most iconic actresses. It was directed by Andrew Dominik and stars Ana de Armas as the American actress, Marilyn Monroe. The film explores Monroe's personal life, career, and struggles with fame, mental health, and addiction. The reception of the film by audiences has been mixed. While some have praised the film for its visual style, cinematography, and Ana de Armas's performance, others have criticized it for its slow pace and lack of depth in portraying Monroe's life. Some have also expressed disappointment with the film's narrative structure, which presents a fragmented timeline of Monroe's life without

Her image became synonymous with the embodiment of sex appeal in the media. However, how biopics convey the representation of Monroe's complex identity as a sex symbol in twentieth-century America is a matter that emphasizes the need to analyze the role of form and conventions in biographical films. The biopics, "My Week with Marilyn" and "Goodbye, Norma Jean" perpetrate Monroe's image as a sex symbol. According to an article in The Guardian, Monroe's image as a sex symbol was constructed by the media to fit their narrative of what a female star should look and behave like. While it may be accurate, it obscures other crucial facets of her life. In contrast, the 2022 biopic "Blonde" takes a different approach to her image as a sex symbol, emphasizing her ambition and tragic life story. This new direction creates a more complete understanding of Monroe's psyche, highlighting how society's cultural attitudes have shaped her public persona. Such complexities of representation and portrayal of Marilyn Monroe in biopics raise questions about how filmmakers choose to approach their subjects and the impact that these choices have on how audiences consume and perceive historical facts and narratives conveyed through this medium. It is essential that biopics recognize the role the media has played in shaping an individual's

In spite of this, how her life is depicted in biopics very significantly impacts audiences' perceptions of her legacy, and historical accuracy is jeopardized. A biopic depiction of Monroe's romantic relationships tends to present her as a one-dimensional character manipulated and abused. In the film "Blonde," Adrien Brody's portrayal of Arthur Miller as detached and manipulative reinforces this depiction. As such, it is necessary for audiences to critically assess the medium through which they consume historical content, and to consider the ways in which the form and conventions of a biopic affect the presentation, consumption, or perception of historical facts, narratives, and meanings conveyed through that medium. When analyzing ‘Blonde” it is evident that the accuracy and interpretation of historical facts vary significantly, leading to a portrayal of the icon that is often far from the truth. For example, while some films rely on historical accounts and extensive research, others miss the mark by dramatizing events and portraying Monroe as a caricature. Moreover, some biopics distort the truth by including imaginary events or making improbable character assumptions about the icon's motives. These discrepancies not only diminish the complexity of the real person behind the persona, but they also perpetuate harmful stereotypes and