The ending of Blonde reveals the tragic culmination of Marilyn Monroe’s life, highlighting themes of exploitation and unattainable ideals.
Blonde, directed by Andrew Dominik, is a fictionalized retelling of Marilyn Monroe’s life. The film, starring Ana de Armas, has sparked controversy due to its explicit content and portrayal of Monroe’s struggles.
Monroe’s Final Days
Blonde is not a typical biopic. It delves into Monroe’s inner life and struggles. The film starts with young Norma Jeane’s traumatic childhood. Her mother, Gladys, is mentally unstable and abusive. As Norma Jeane grows up, she becomes Marilyn Monroe. However, her life is filled with exploitation and personal turmoil.
Monroe is haunted by the absence of her father. She idealizes him and longs for his presence. This longing affects her relationships with men. She often calls them “Daddy”, seeking the affection she never received. The film shows her relationships with various men, including Joe DiMaggio and President John F. Kennedy.
As the film progresses, Monroe’s life becomes more chaotic. In the final act, she receives a package from Eddy. It informs her of Cass’s death from a pulmonary embolism. The package contains a stuffed plush tiger and a letter from Cass. The letter reveals that Cass had been writing the letters from her “father” that she received over the years (High on Films).
Revelation and Overdose
The revelation that the letters from her father were a fabrication devastates Monroe. This, combined with her grief over Cass’s death, pushes her to the brink. In despair, Monroe overdoses on barbiturates. As she lies in bed, dying, she hallucinates a vision of her father. He embraces her and welcomes her to the afterlife (Looper).
The ending is rich with symbolism. Monroe’s father represents the unattainable ideal and empty promises of Hollywood. Throughout her life, Monroe clings to the hope that her father will return and make everything right. This mirrors her naive belief in the glamour and salvation promised by stardom. The film highlights her vulnerability and the exploitation she endured (Den of Geek).
Cathartic Release
In its final moments, Blonde offers a sense of cathartic release. The camera moves across the room, and the credits zoom out to the stars. This symbolizes Monroe’s eternal star power and the mythic status she achieved. This sequence provides a moment of respite for both Monroe and the audience, who have witnessed her relentless suffering throughout the film (Looper).
Critical Reception
Blonde has polarized critics and audiences. Some praise the film for its bold, experimental approach and unflinching portrayal of Monroe’s life. Others criticize it for its relentless focus on her suffering and graphic depictions of abuse. The film’s NC-17 rating reflects its explicit content, including scenes of sexual assault, forced abortion, and drug use (Roger Ebert).
Technical Brilliance
Despite the controversy, Blonde is noted for its technical brilliance. The cinematography by Chayse Irvin and the score by Nick Cave and Warren Ellis contribute to the film’s dreamlike and haunting atmosphere. The film’s use of color grading and aspect ratio shifts, while sometimes jarring, adds to its experimental nature (Roger Ebert).
Ethical Considerations
One of the primary criticisms of Blonde is its ethical approach to Monroe’s story. The film’s depiction of her life as a series of traumatic events raises questions about the responsibility of filmmakers in portraying real-life figures. Some argue that the film exploits Monroe’s legacy by focusing excessively on her suffering. Others believe it sheds light on the darker aspects of her life that are often overlooked (Screen Rant).
Conclusion
The ending of Blonde is a poignant and tragic culmination of Marilyn Monroe’s life. Through its surreal and often harrowing narrative, the film explores themes of exploitation, longing, and the unattainable ideals of Hollywood. While Blonde has sparked controversy and divided opinions, it remains a technically impressive and thought-provoking portrayal of one of the most iconic figures in American culture.
The film’s ending, with its revelation of the fabricated letters and Monroe’s subsequent overdose, serves as a powerful commentary on the dehumanizing effects of fame and the relentless exploitation she faced. Whether viewed as a bold artistic statement or an ethically questionable portrayal, Blonde undeniably leaves a lasting impact on its audience.
