Review of The Notorious Bettie Page (2006) by Jose M — 07 Dec 2010

I guess Bettie Page is really notorious according to the feeble and fearing minds of the 1950s. The 1950s were ideas of alien invasions and gigantic bug attacks were in the mind of many folks parallel to terrorism and airport security. I have heard a little bit about her, mostly about how she was goddess. Seeing a few photos before, she was really sexy and very beautiful. I rented the Notorious Bettie Page to see what more I can learn about her or get an insight of her. Who is she? What is it that makes a guyâ(TM)s heart beat abnormal? Looking at her photos, there was something really alluring about her. I didnâ(TM)t know what it was, so I decided to see this movie for a quick answer. Hereâ(TM)s what I got. The Notorious Bettie Page opens in a black and white New York City store where a guy is selling copies. The customerâ(TM)s face expression details an abnormal heart beating as heâ(TM)s about to faint or have a heart attack, or so I thought. The guy turns out to be a cop arresting the guy and sending shoppers into panic. At court, Bettie waits outside for her to be brought in to testify. It is there that we learn about her life. We start a little brief introduction of her childhood that hints religious upbringing and abuse from her father or stepfather canâ(TM)t remember. The years skip, leaving us to fill in the blank, and sheâ(TM)s in college. Years skip and we are in the late 40s and the notoriety starts as she starts taking pictures in the beach in a skimpy bikini that draws attention to many guys. She marries and hints abuse, but leaves us to fill in the blank. She moves to New York City where she tries to act, but it is the modeling that takes off. Folks begin to hire her and soon enough racier outfits are put to the test where Page shines. We see the whole shish kop bop and things get sexier, but scandalous. The story goes on and we see Bettie Pageâ(TM)s transformation, but ends with us to fill in the blank.

There are a number of things I love about the movie. Itâ(TM)s technically well made as in production, cinematography, and style. Actress Gretchen Mol is stunning and beautiful as Bettie Page as she captures the style and personality of the photos left behind even though there is a hole for me to fill in as who Bettie Page is. I never really did have an insight of her as she remained a mystery to me through the entire film. There is complexity in her character even though the portrayal comes off as simple. I like the direction and the writing as it revolves around, but never hits the target. Shame, despite that, I like the Notorious Bettie Page and is good as it get.