One of Netflix ’s most highly anticipated releases of this year has become the talk of social media for all the wrong reasons as some viewers branded it ‘exploitative’ and ‘repulsive’.
Blonde, which the streaming platform describes as a “fictional portrait” of the life of troubled Hollywood star Marilyn Monroe that “reimagines the tumultuous private life” of the iconic actress , landed on Netflix on Wednesday. Directed by Andrew Dominik, the film is based on a novel by Joyce Carol Oates and stars Ana de Armas as Marilyn.
Despite its very recent release, Blonde has already left viewers divided as its fictionalised retelling of Monroe’s life provoked strongly mixed reviews. Many have slated the film for its handling of scenes depicting sexual assault, violence towards women and abortion, The Liverpool Echo reports .
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Digital Spy described Blonde as “unrelenting in its cruelty”, while GQ Magazine dubbed it “jaw-droppingly explicit” and The Independent branded it “dull trauma porn”. While the movie received a 14-minute standing ovation at its Venice Film Festival premiere earlier this month, home viewers have not been so impressed.
“It is exploitative, demeaning and not an accurate representation of the power and wit that was Marilyn Monroe,” one Twitter user said of the film. “I feel ashamed for watching this; what a misogynistic, black and white view of a multifaceted and complex woman.”
Another viewer seethed: “[This] garbage movie is dehumanising a very real and complex person. Because she has no living relatives, there’s no one to speak up on her behalf. Blonde is disgusting and a bad work of fiction.”
A third person wrote: “I'd be lying to you if I said that the production design, cinematography and performance from Ana de Armas were terrible, because they aren't whatsoever, but it's hard to appreciate these things when what you are watching on screen is repulsive.”
“Do not watch Blonde,” another viewer implored to their Twitter followers. “It’s a horrible representation of Marilyn’s life and does nothing to truly honour her.”
Director Andrew Dominik said in an interview with ScreenDaily that it was “the f****** audience's problem“ if they did not enjoy the film. He also told Vulture that there was “something in it to offend everyone“ - but added to Collider that he believed it would be “one of the ten best movies ever made“.
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