Stanko's Stance

“Explores the mystery surrounding the death of movie icon Marilyn Monroe through previously unheard interviews with her inner circle.”

Director: Emma Cooper
Release Date: April 27, 2022

I think we need to have a word with Netflix. They need to get a better grip on their documentaries.

The Mystery of Marilyn Monroe: The Unheard Tapes (2022) looks the exact same as all of the other surprise pop up documentaries on the streaming service. There is the filter on every frame that makes it appear darker than it should. There are slow pans and movements focusing on actors reenacting conversations and sad looking faces. The Mystery Of Marilyn Monroe: The Unheard Tapes reminded me an extended episode of Unsolved Mysteries, the docu-series that Netflix has put two seasons out on.

I clicked on this documentary because I had zero clue that there were supposedly doubts about the way that Monroe died. I was aware how famous she and how crazy the fandom around her was, but I had no idea that there were theories about government interference or foul play.

And if we are in the trust tree here, I don’t think there was any foul play or anything of that variety. Do I think that Marilyn Monroe was troubled and tossed around by the industry and lover affairs unfairly? Yes, that is fair to say. Do I think that drawing lines in faded pencil and then filling in the gaps with hypothesis rather than fact is casting the fishing line too far? Absolutely.

The archival footage back in the day is nice, but there is not enough of it to grab my attention. Now I want go back and watch the movies she was in and the movies made during that era. There was a different element of fame even without the social media of current times. It made the fans even more ravenous for any sight of fame they could have because they don’t get a chance to lurk around watching them on social media all day.

If you like a documentary that is just informing and entertaining enough to keep on in the background, than I would recommend The Mystery of Marilyn Monroe: The Unheard Tapes, but if you are looking for a movie documentary that will offer strong insight into its subjects, I would seek out Lucy And Desi (2022) or something of that quality.

STANKO RATING: C- (2.5/5 Stars)

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