Norma Jean & Marilyn

TV-14

1996

2 hr. 12 min.

Biography

List

60%

5 Reviews

Tomatometer

42%

2,500+ Ratings

Audience Score

Marilyn Monroe (Mira Sorvino) rises to film stardom, but insecure alter ego Norma Jean Daugherty (Ashley Judd) won't allow her happiness.

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Audience Member

HBO Films presents another historical fictional biopic Directed by Tim Fywell this is about Norma Jean & Marilyn Monroe played by Ashley Judd and Mira Sorvino Norma Jean had a religious upbringing growing up and her grandma was lost in her own mind as well as her mother so she dreamed about not having any shame wanting to break away from her strict father's upbringing She always dreamed of making it in Hollywood but being promiscuous seemed to be the only way up Plus her aunt sent her away to be rehabilitated at a young age Her whole life she was mistreated by various men therefore she used her body as a tool as well as a weapon to make it by Norma went through so many physical transformations just to appeal to the Hollywood executives She then transforms into Marilyn Monroe, one of the biggest sex symbol actresses of the time but struggled with pill addiction, nervous ticks, and love affairs In a way she "kills" her former self to be better but has psychological issues too Marilyn sadly died at the age of 35 from drug overdose back in 1962 Still this movie highlighted the need for the #metoo movement It has taken on a new dimension in the context of society's current reckoning with serial sexual abusers Two fine actresses carry the parts, there's some good historical wardrobe aesthetics although some of the acting is a bit soapy and there's more emphasis on the romance angle But Judd is superb and Sorvino shines both talking to each other subconsciously This is a film that explores, however clumsily, the horrors of the very system that enabled and protected their abuser is rather extraordinary These stories – as well as those of many women who have bravely spoken out against their abusers recently – would likely resonate with Marilyn Monroe, who rose to fame in an era when these repulsive behaviors were considered normal A good biopic despite it being very lengthy

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

01/22/23

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Audience Member

for a HBO pic this one has alot of shine & glitz to it.

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

01/21/23

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Audience Member

simply awful. I love Marilyn but this movie is bloody awful.

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

02/03/23

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Audience Member

Surreal in places and much darker than My week with Marilyn. It is a stroke of genius having Ashley Judd as Norma Jean and once she goes under the knife and becomes Marilyn Mira Sorvino takes over but Norma Jean remains in a ghostly presence haunting Marilyn and pushing her further and further into darker places of fame. This is a really great version of the Marilyn Monroe story. Sexy, Nasty, Twisted, Funny and heart braking.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

02/20/23

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Audience Member

Didn't think much of this, but Ashley is lovely.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

01/26/23

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Audience Member

It's a very sad true story, although I'm not sure how accurate it is. Mira Sorvino was great.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

02/17/23

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Tim Fywell

Director

Ashley Judd

Norma Jean Dougherty

Mira Sorvino

Marilyn Monore

Josh Charles

Eddie Jordan

Ron Rifkin

Johnny Hyde

David Dukes

Arthur Miller

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Michael Dequina

TheMovieReport.com

Rated: 2/5

Dec 23, 2006

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Chuck O'Leary

Fantastica Daily

Rated: 3/5

Oct 6, 2005

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Emanuel Levy

EmanuelLevy.Com

Rated: 1/5

Jun 13, 2005

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Greg Maki

Star-Democrat (Easton, MD)

Rated: 3/5

Feb 5, 2005

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Daniel M. Kimmel

Worcester Telegram & Gazette

Rated: 3/5

Dec 26, 2004

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Synopsis

Marilyn Monroe (Mira Sorvino) rises to film stardom, but insecure alter ego Norma Jean Daugherty (Ashley Judd) won't allow her happiness.

Director: Tim Fywell
Executive Producer: Marvin Worth
Screenwriter: Jill Isaacs
Rating: TV-14, R
Genre: Biography
Original Language: English
Release Date (DVD): Sep 14, 2004
Sound Mix: Stereo, Surround