We Remember Marilyn
"A sex symbol becomes a thing," says Marilyn Monroe, her voice being approximated by Trudi Jo Marie Keck, who also doubles as the editor ofWe Remember Marilyn, a historical appreciation of the life of the much-vaunted sex goddess. "I always thought symbols were things you clashed together," she continues to muse. "But if I'm going to be a symbol of anything, I'd rather it be sex than some other things there are symbols for. I know how they'll remember me: 'Here lies Marilyn Monroe, 34-24-36.' But, anyway, they'll remember me." And remember her they do, in this concoction written and directed by Ted Newsom (Ed Wood--Look Back in  Angora). Newsom doesn't bother to cite the source for the above words ascribed to Ms. Monroe so it's hard to say where they came from, but they pointedly set the tone for any discussion of sex-symbol iconography. The quote is by turns sad and funny--funny because of the lack of self-awareness evinced in the words. And how better to sum up a career that moved between celebrity and the highest seats of power on a vehicle of sex, and ended early and abruptly. Film clips, photos (where Marilyn the icon truly shone), and a rich array of stock footage form the backdrop for the proceedings. At one point, the voice of director John Huston enriches the soundtrack.--Jim Gay