The Notorious Bettie Page

Starring: Gretchen Mol, Chris Bauer, Jared Harris, David Strathairn, Lili Taylor
Directed by: Mary Harron
Rating: R
Genre: Drama, Biography
2006

Times Seen:
Tim: 1

Summary: Bettie Page (Gretchen Mol) becomes a pin-up obsession, as her provocative and pornographic poses please some, and infuriate others in the 1950s.

Review:

Tim: This is an unconventional biopic about the 1950’s pinup model, Bettie Page. While the movie is about Page, it is really about a time—a time when a subculture of then-shocking (and today, this all seems unbelievably tame) behavior started to bubble to the surface and attracted the retention of smut-haters and protectors of family values. The movie is an interesting look at this period in American history, but even more so, at the life of perplexing woman.

Gretchen Mol does an astounding job playing Bettie Page. In her performance, we find that Page has a great deal more innocence than we would have expected from a woman who’s had some terrible things said about her. Mol is completely convincing as we learn Page models because it makes people happy—not considering how many would view her poses or the damage they believe it did to society. Page’s naďveté makes her a fascinating subject. Yes, there are other performances in this film, but none of them matter save for Mol’s. Mol brings this complex woman to life and the film does a very good job of not judging her, but instead, trying to present all sides to her.

The movie moves at a surprisingly quick pace, giving only a few dragged out moments here and there. I love that the movie was shot in black and white—but interspersed with scenes in glaring Technicolor. This balances the movie brilliantly, and brings the audience into this world.

While Page is an interest biographical subject, the movie does spend a great deal of time showing us Page’s various photoshoots. These are occasionally a bit risque (for the 1950s, but it is almost comical by today's standards). Through these scenes, we begin to develop an understanding of Page.

The Notorious Bettie Page is a biopic that doesn't seem to fall into too many of the typical biopic cliches. This is partially because Page is such an unconventional human being, and partially because director and writer Mary Harron did great work on this film. This movie isn't terrific, but it does a great deal right.



Rating 1-10
Tim's Rating: 7



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