Blonde, Netflix’s Marilyn Monroe biopic, has received criticism for a variety of reasons since its release last week. Some critics and audience evaluations have lambasted the film for being an exploitation of the late actress, while others have called it cruel, and now the film’s treatment of two unlawful abortions has earned the organization even more wrath.
The subject of abortion is a sensitive one in the United States right now, and coming only three months after the Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v Wade, the sequences in Blonde have especially sparked concerns about how abortion is depicted and what people will take away from it. Caren Spruch, Planned Parenthood Federation of America’s national director of arts and entertainment engagement, said in a statement described in The Hollywood Reporter:
“As film and TV shapes many people’s understanding of sexual and reproductive health, it’s critical these depictions accurately portray women’s real decisions and experiences. While abortion is safe, essential health care, anti-abortion zealots have long contributed to abortion stigma by using medically inaccurate descriptions of fetuses and pregnancy. Andrew Dominik’s new film, Blonde, bolsters their message with a CGI-talking fetus, depicted to look like a fully formed baby.
Planned Parenthood respects artistic license and freedom. However, false images only serve to reinforce misinformation and perpetuate stigma around sexual and reproductive health care. Every pregnancy outcome — especially abortion — should be portrayed sensitively, authentically and accurately in the media. We still have much work to do to ensure that everyone who has an abortion can see themselves onscreen. It is a shame that the creators of Blonde chose to contribute to anti-abortion propaganda and stigmatize people’s health care decisions instead.”
Blonde’s Director and the Author of the Original Novel have both defended the film.
While Blonde has been panned for a variety of reasons, Ana de Armas’ primary performance as Monroe has been universally lauded, with everyone agreeing that the actress has elevated her Hollywood profile to new heights. However, for director Andrew Dominik and Blonde author Joyce Carol Oates, defending the film against allegations of exploitation and now for its abortion portrayals has been a true battle.
In a recent interview with The Wrap, the director discounted the negative perceptions of the film’s abortion stance as a result of the time of its release. He stated:
“People are obviously concerned with losses of freedoms, but, I mean, no one would have given a shit about that if I’d made the movie in 2008, and probably no one’s going to care about it in four years’ time. And the movie won’t have changed. It’s just what’s sort of going on.”
Furthermore, Oates has defended the film against charges that it exploits the memory of the Hollywood legend, writing on her Twitter account:
“I think it was/is a brilliant work of cinematic art obviously not for everyone. Surprising that in a post #MeToo era the stark exposure of sexual predation in Hollywood has been interpreted as ‘exploitation.’ Surely Andrew Dominik meant to tell Norma Jeane’s story sincerely.”
Blonde is currently streaming on Netflix.