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The Secret Life of Marilyn Monroe
R1 - America - A&E Home Video Review written by and copyright: Abraham Phillips (17th September 2015). |
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The Show
 "The Secret Life of Marilyn Monroe" is a 2-part miniseries that Lifetime Network created to showcase a true Hollywood legend and icon. Monroe was a beautiful, vibrant glamour star. A goddess that sadly also had her demons. Director Laurie Collyer did a wonderful job of bringing this production to life. It's directed in a way that places you right in the middle of the time period, with flawless acting of a figure that was gone way before her time. The plot sees Marilyn telling her life story to a shrink named Alan DeShields, played by the very gifted actor Jack Noseworthy. You get to experience her ups and downs, and her ultimate tragic reality of schizophrenia running in her family. Through flashbacks of her childhood, to her teenage years, and the spiralling hardships one after another leads to a depressed, emotionally hidden, and scared Marilyn. Marilyn tried so hard to impress and find companionship that she neglected her inner self and ultimately destroyed her mind. This film displays a lot of the tragic elements that this young woman went through, and the actions that moulded her into what she thought people wanted. Marilyn was a lost soul, trying to disguise that she was a lost soul. She tried to walk away from her demons, and cover them up with what she thought others wanted. This miniseries is a thought provoking, emotional drama that leaves a lasting impression on you. The solid acting extends to most of the cast, primarily Kelli Garner who is absolutely a phenom in the part of Marilyn. She's stunningly beautiful, which doesn't hurt either. She owned the part and created the sadness, hardship, demons of this Hollywood Icon. Susan Sarandon was also amazing as Gladys, Monroe's mother. She gave a great performance as a mentally sick individual. The miniseries also stars a bevy of talented supporting players that include Jeffrey Dean Morgan as baseball legend and Monroe's husband, Joe DiMaggio. Morgan was great. Emily Watson was also fantastic as Grace McKee. The whole cast delivered memorable performances. The production value of the film is fabulous. The costumes, vehicles, sets all give off a perfect trip into the past that plays on old school Hollywood. Laurie Collyer, a relative new comer to the directing world was able to bring a voice, and imagery to the wonderful, sad world of Marilyn Monroe. I felt she captured everything in a thought provoking way. Collyer I think is a dynamic director with a true eye for storytelling. Part 1 comes in at a running time of 1 hour and 26 minutes, and 20 seconds. Part 2 with a running time of 1 hour 27 minutes, and 40 seconds. The first part builds on Marilyn’s past, and her rise to fame. Part two showcases her hardships in the business, abusive marriage, and her slow decline into pill popping, and mental disease.
Video
Presented in a widescreen 1.78:1 anamorphic presentation, the image is beautiful with vibrant colors and imagery. As far as DVD's go this is a fine transfer.
Audio
A single English Dolby Digital 5.1 surround track is included, There was no fault here, the audio is crystal clear. Optional subtitles are included in English for the hearing impaired.
Extras
The only extras on this disc are a collection of bonus trailers for: - "Lifetime Channel" promo which runs for 10 Seconds. - "Texas Rising" which runs for 1 minute. - "Aaliyah The Princess of R&B" which runs for 1 Minute. - "Seeds of Yesterday" which runs for 35 seconds. - "Love & Mercy" which runs for 2 minutes and 39 seconds. There's also a code for a digital copy version of the miniseries.
Packaging
Packaged in a standard black DVD keep case with wraparound artwork.
Overall
Wonderful acting. Awesome production value. A wonderful little miniseries that stands out as a memorable biography. It's a worthy picture to be seen by all lovers of Hollywood glamour.
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