The biographical psychological drama “Blonde” was released in 2022, and directed by Andrew Dominik, based on the 2000 novel of the same name by Joyce Carol Oates. The film was a fictionalised take on the life and career of American actress Marilyn Monroe, played by Ana de Armas. The cast also included Adrien Brody, Bobby Cannavale, Xavier Samuel, and Julianne Nicholson.

Film poster for Blonde featuring Ana de Armas as Marilyn Monroe

Dede Gardner, Jeremy Kleiner, Tracey Landon, Brad Pitt, and Scott Robertson produced the film. After a lengthy period of development that began in 2010, “Blonde” entered production in August 2019 in Los Angeles. Production wrapped in July 2021, following the shutdowns caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. The film plays with shifting aspect ratios and alternates between colour and black and white.

Scene from Blonde

Scene from Blonde

Scene from Blonde

The film premiered at the 79th Venice International Film Festival on 8th September 2022, where it received a 14-minute standing ovation. It began a limited theatrical release in the US on 16th September, before its streaming release on 28th September by Netflix. It is the first NC-17-rated film to be released exclusively to a streaming service. The film received polarised reviews from critics and audiences; while de Armas’s performance garnered critical acclaim, Dominik’s graphic depiction of Monroe’s life was criticised as exploitative and unethical. De Armas received nominations for the Academy Award, Golden Globe Award, BAFTA Award, and SAG Award for Best Actress. The film also received eight nominations at the 43rd Golden Raspberry Awards, winning Worst Picture and Worst Screenplay.

Scene from Blonde

Scene from Blonde

Scene from Blonde

Scene from Blonde

Scene from Blonde

Although the film was shot in Los Angeles, attention to detail was noted and that was where otsoNY’s interest ended. There were several of Monroe’s films featured in “Blonde” of which included “All About Eve”, “Don’t Bother to Knock”, “Niagara”, “Gentlemen Prefer Blondes”, and “Some Like It Hot”; all were reshot with Ana de Armas in place of Monroe. Most notably, the background scenery was impressive, especially for the iconic subway scene which showcased both, Monroe’s stardom and screen presence in “The Seven Year Itch” as well as the lingering tension between her and her controlling husband Joe DiMaggio. The street and the shop sign for Wrights Food were closely matched to the original setting.

There was also a scene that showed the Marilyn Monroe larger-than-life billboard outside Loew’s State Theatre for the premiere of “The Seven Year Itch”, along with a brief scene in 1950s-style Times Square.

Scene from Blonde

Scene from Blonde

Scene from Blonde