The Goddess (1958)
The movie's divided into three parts: "Portrait of a Young Girl," "Portrait of a Young Woman," and "Portrait of a Goddess." The first portion is given just a small amount of screen time, but we get it: she's a lonely latchkey kid before it was the norm.
In the second act, her desire to be accepted despite living in the bad part of town causes her to give the boys what other girls won't...and to dream of escaping to Hollywood to become a star and prove to everyone that she's as good as they are.
The third, and longest, part is all about Hollywood. I've read that Paddy Chayefsky based his screenplay on Ava Gardner's life -- but there's a competing theory that it's all about Marilyn. Regardless of who the inspiration was, it's damned depressing. It's also insightful, well-acted, and powerful. I didn't enjoy it, but I do respect it.
B-
In the second act, her desire to be accepted despite living in the bad part of town causes her to give the boys what other girls won't...and to dream of escaping to Hollywood to become a star and prove to everyone that she's as good as they are.
The third, and longest, part is all about Hollywood. I've read that Paddy Chayefsky based his screenplay on Ava Gardner's life -- but there's a competing theory that it's all about Marilyn. Regardless of who the inspiration was, it's damned depressing. It's also insightful, well-acted, and powerful. I didn't enjoy it, but I do respect it.
B-
Labels: 1958, Bminus, Drama, Oscar Nominee
posted by MeMe | 9:18 PM
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