It really is a bit of a cheat to make a celebratory list of Marilyn Monroe’s work in relation to a film as uncelebratory as ‘Blonde’. Andrew Dominic makes a brutal portrait of the tragedy around one of the greatest icons of cinemashowing the herd of vultures in the form of cameras with flashes and interested men wanting to get bait from an artist who was only looking for the love that had always been denied her.
But still, seeing Marilyn’s work somehow keeps her alive without exploiting it excessively. For this reason, today we recover three great films from his filmography that can be found on the different streaming platforms, to remain surrendered before one of the most undeniable charismas of classic Hollywood.
‘Meeting at night’ (‘Clash by Night’, 1952)
Address: Fritz Lang. Distribution: Barbara Stanwyck, Paul Douglas, Robert Ryan, Marilyn Monroe, J. Carrol Naish.
In this melodrama by Fritz Lang, he plays a supporting role in the love triangle formed by Barbara Stanwyck, Paul Douglas and Robert Ryan. However, its parallel contribution to the main plot reinforces the insights into relationship difficultiesthe limits that are imposed and where to start building mutual respect.
For those who love the German director, a master of expressionism, a film with a classic and modest character sounds like too minor a job. However, Lang manages to exquisitely adapt Clifford Odets’ play into a kind of working-class Douglas Sirk who turns into fabulous adult entertainment. Only Stanwyck’s work is to stay captivated.
See in Filmin and Acontra Plus | Criticism in Espinof
‘With skirts and crazy’ (‘Some Like It Hot’, 1959)
Address: Billy Wilder. Distribution: Marilyn Monroe, Jack Lemmon, Tony Curtis, George Raft, Pat O’Brien.
Part of what made Monroe such a star like no other was her distinguishable talent for wacky and uninhibited comedy. In that respect, few did more for his career than Billy Wilder, who gave him a prominent role in this tangled movie with two ordinary musicians on the run from the mob by camouflaging themselves in an all-female orchestra.
Jack Lemmon and Tony Curtis certainly do a lot to justify starring in the story, but Marilyn manages to shine in each scene with its own light in full color despite black and white. The last element that propels one of the best comedies of the Austrian filmmaker, of undeniable charm and generating some of the best laughs in classic cinema.
See on Filmin, Movistar and MGM | Criticism in Espinof
‘Rebellious Lives’ (‘The Misfits’, 1961)
Address: John Huston. Distribution: Marilyn Monroe, Clark Gable, Montgomery Clift, Eli Wallach, Thelma Ritter.
One of his last films was this exquisite adaptation of Arthur Miller that has ended gaining damn movie reputation. The difficulty in filming it due to Marilyn’s fragile state of health, her confrontations with Miller, problems with financing and debts for director John Huston’s game were at various points close to blowing up the entire project for the airs.
And, luckily, he survived. Monroe demonstrates his incredible dramatic skills with a character completely removed from those who gave him fame, more morally complex and full of edges. Clark Gable and Montgomery Clift complete with her an excellent interpretive triangle, perfectly supported by Huston’s exquisite direction that creates an absolutely unique western for its psychological depth and human drama. Truly extraordinary.
See on Filmin and on MGM