Norma Jean and Marilyn (1996)

TOMATOMETER

60%

——

Critic Consensus: No consensus yet.

AUDIENCE SCORE

41%

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Movie Info

Originally made for cable television, this imaginative biopic chronicles the life of Marilyn Monroe (Mira Sorvino), including the years before she changed her name from Norma Jean Baker (Ashley Judd) and was transformed into the screen persona that made her a legendary sex symbol. The movie employs unconventional, dream-like storytelling techniques in which Marilyn and her former self, Norma Jean, frequently appear in scenes together, with Norma Jean often taunting Marilyn for not living up to her earlier aspirations. Many facets of Monroe's life are examined, including her childhood and adolescence when Norma Jean had to live with foster families because of her mother's psychological problems. In addition to referencing Monroe's work on such films as Gentlemen Prefer Blondes (1953), The Seven Year Itch (1955), and Some Like It Hot (1959), the movie explores her marriages to baseball great Joe DiMaggio (Peter Dobson) and famous playwright Arthur Miller (David Dukes), and her romances, including her purported relationship with U.S. President John F. Kennedy (Steven Culp). The film also offers a hard-hitting look at Monroe's struggle with drug- and alcohol-dependency. ~ Rovi
  • Rating:
    R (adult situations/language, nudity)
  • Genre:
    Drama, Television
  • Directed By:
    Tim Fywell
  • Written By:
    Jill Isaccs
  • In Theaters:
     wide
  • On Disc/Streaming:
  • Runtime:
  • Studio:
    HBO Video

Cast

Mira Sorvino
as Marilyn Monroe
Stephen Culp
Ashley Judd
as Norma Jean
Josh Charles
as Eddie Jordan
Ron Rifkin
as Johnny Hyde
Peter Dobson
as Joe DiMaggio
Frank Birney
as Preacher
Lindsay Crouse
as Natasha Lytess
David Dukes
as Arthur Miller
Kelsey Mulrooney
as Child Norma Jean
John Rubinstein
as Darryl Zanuck
Taylor Nichols
as Fred Karger
Allan Corduner
as Billy Wilder
Dana Goldstone
as Lee Strasberg
Micole Mercurio
as Mozelle Hyde
John Apicella
as Milton Krasner
Robert Alan Beuth
as Commissary Photographer
Frank Irney
as Preacher
Earl Boen
as Studio Physician
Kevin Bourland
as David March
Dennis Bowen
as Tom Kelly
Ardie Bryant
as Tap Dancer
Nancy Linehan Charles
as Bette Davis
Jeffrey Combs
as Montgomery Clift
Steven Culp
as Robert Kennedy
Lou Cuttel
as Henry Weinstein
Artur Cybulski
as Camera Assistant
Joe D'Angerio
as Whitey Snyder
Marianne Davis
as Young Norma Jean
Bebe Drake
as Shampoo Lady
Ellerinei
as Ella Fitzgerald
Edith Fields
as Nana Karger
Yvette Freeman
as Hazel Washington
David Drew Gallagher
as Danny Greenton
Jimm Giannini
as Reporter No. 1
Kevin Goetz
as Studio Flack
Beth Grant
as Grace Goddard
Ian Gregory
as Truck Driver
Alex Henteloff
as Dr. Gurdin
Lise Hillboldt
as Sylvia March
Neil Hunt
as George Sanders
Ivan Kane
as Lefty O'Doul
Sandra Ellis Lafferty
as Inez Melson
Michael Laskin
as Sidney Skolsky
Floyd Levine
as Spiros Skouras
Marc Lynn
as Photo Assistant
Keith MacKechnie
as Unit Photographer
Scott Menville
as `Misfits' A. D.
Herb Mitchell
as Ben Lyon
Virginia Morris
as Dr. Marianne Kris
Marianne Muellerleile
as Mrs. Dewey
Christopher Murray
as Doc Goddard
Erika Nann
as Jane Russell
Audrie J. Neenan
as Sylvia Barnhart
Terrence O'Connor
as Gladys Baker
Michael O'Neill
as Mr. Kimmel
Adam Paul
as Junior Reporter
Howard Platt
as Howard Hawks
Eric Poppick
as Producer
Mary Porster
as Adrian Wallingford
Alyson Reed
as Natalie Kelly
John Roselius
as Earl Moran
Peter Sands
as Peter Lawford
Sam Shamshak
as Ted Lewis
Perry Stephens
as John F. Kennedy
Carol Swarbrick
as Emeline Snively
Warren Sweeney
as Reporter No. 2
Rosie Taravella
as Electrologist
Wendy Worthington
as Mrs. Gifford
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Critic Reviews for Norma Jean and Marilyn

Audience Reviews for Norma Jean and Marilyn

½

HBO produced this portrayal of the creation of Marilyn Monroe. It contains T&A and shows us a much more psychologically broken (split personality) version of the icon. Of course the casting lends itself to this. Ashley Judd plays Norma Jean, though there are flashbacks to earlier events in her childhood with younger actresses too. Even when Norma Jean goes through the transformation to become Marilyn Monroe, played by Mira Sorvino, Judd as Norma Jean still appears to Marilyn to push her to success. We meet most of the men who were Norma Jean/Marilyn's lovers or husbands and this shows us the many phases that made up her life. This tv movie casts a wide net over the events that made Marilyn who she was, but through it all Judd is the strongest presence at its center.

Byron Brubaker
Byron Brubaker

Super Reviewer

½

Quite interesting story plot that centralizes on the life of the Hollywood starlet. Great cast- Ashley Judd, Mira Sorvino, and Josh Charles. Worthy!

Leo L
Leo L

Super Reviewer

Didn't think much of this, but Ashley is lovely.

Tim Salmons
Tim Salmons

Super Reviewer

½

The story was interesting and the acting was brilliant. Especially the decision to have two actresses play the role. I really need to see this again...

Michael Gildea
Michael Gildea

Super Reviewer

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