Review of The Notorious Bettie Page (2006) by Luke P — 07 Apr 2009
Pornography is quite wildly spread and easily accessible in this day and age (and also quite icky), but in the 1950's it was more of a niche business (and a more elegant and innocent one too). Bettie Page was the megastar of those times.
Mary Harron's (American Psycho) film charts the rise of Page from a naive, church-going country girl to the pinnacle of the "glamour" business, to the pornography witchhunts. To say Gretchen Mol completely inhabits the part would be a collossal understatement.
She is magnificent in the role, capturing the innocence and naivety of a Southern girl. She poses for these pictures because she enjoys it, while seemingly unaware of their impact on or usage of the male race.
It's an utterly charming, absorbing and enjoyable performance, and it really anchors the film along. It also has a nice sense of nostalgia for times gone by, and it's really well made, written and acted by everyone involved.
A highly enjoyable film.
This review of The Notorious Bettie Page (2006) was written by Luke P on 07 Apr 2009.
The Notorious Bettie Page has generally received positive reviews.
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