Love, Marilyn, Collage of Monroe Material, by Liz Garbus
HBO Documentary Films Marilyn Monroe is the subject of the documentary "Love, Marilyn," from Liz Garbus. Based on recently discovered diaries and letters, Love, Marilyn is mostly the voice of Marilyn Monroe spoken by a range of actors and contemporaneous observers in a collage by the director, Liz Garbus . But this slick documentary is also a respectful love letter to Monroe, presented here as a sexpot, feminist and Tennessee Williams heroine come to life, noble in her respect and need for a sensitive, considerate humanity. Some of the actors speaking Monroes words (with talent like Glenn Close and Viola Davis, no one is going for impersonation) do subtle, thoughtful work, linking many of Monroes worries to those that all actors face. (Uma Thurman, you nailed it.) Others get a bit cringe-worthy. (Ben Foster works way too hard in his effort to be cool with the language of Norman Mailer.) The star appearances alternate with material of Monroe ! herself, performing or giving i...