Norma Jean & Marilyn

Norma Jean & Marilyn is a 1996 American biographical drama television film directed by Tim Fywell, based on the 1985 book Goddess, the Secret Lives of Marilyn Monroe by Anthony Summers.[1] The film stars Ashley Judd as Norma Jean Dougherty and Mira Sorvino as Marilyn Monroe. It premiered on HBO on May 18, 1996.[2]

Norma Jean & Marilyn
Promotional poster
Based onGoddess, the Secret Lives of Marilyn Monroe
by Anthony Summers
Written byJill Isaacs
Directed byTim Fywell
Starring
Music byChristopher Young
Country of originUnited States
Original languageEnglish
Production
ProducerGuy Riedel
CinematographyJohn Thomas
EditorGlenn Farr
Running time135 minutes
Production companyHBO Pictures
Release
Original networkHBO
Original release
  • May 18, 1996 (1996-05-18)

The tagline for the highly fictionalized film summarizes the plot: "Marilyn Monroe was our fantasy. Norma Jean was her reality." In dream-like scenes, Monroe and her former self appear together, with Norma Jean sometimes taunting Monroe. The original music score was composed by Christopher Young.

The film was nominated for five Primetime Emmy Awards and two Golden Globe Awards, each including for both lead actresses.

Cast

Production

A cherry-adorned dress Sorvino wore in the film, from The Misfits (1961), was actually worn by Monroe during the filming of the original film.[3] It was provided to the production by designer and cinema costume collector Gene London.

While filming the film, Sorvino acquired a small dog whom she named Deer, after its uncanny resemblance to a deer. She adored the dog, and kept it in her trailer while filming, so it would be there waiting for her between shots. Once, while filming at the International School of Los Angeles, in the Los Feliz area of Los Angeles, a crew member inadvertently let the dog escape while cleaning Sorvino's trailer as she was on-set filming a shot. The school was located on a small hill, and Deer apparently bolted down the hill, and into the residential neighborhood below. Sorvino was inconsolable, and returned to the location nightly, cruising slowly through the area, calling out for her lost pet, and posting reward notices. Security Officers who worked overnight shifts on the set were advised of the situation, and were told to be alert to the possibility of Sorvino's presence, and to keep an eye out for the dog, who may return to the location. Several of the officers and other crew members even began bringing collars, leashes, dog carriers and treats with them to work, hoping to capture it, but the crew moved on to the next filming location, and it is believed that Deer was never found.

Critical reception

Norma Jean & Marilyn received mixed reviews from critics.[4] On the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, the film holds an approval rating of 60% based on 5 reviews, with a rating average of 4.8/10.[5]

Accolades
Award Category Recipient Result Ref.
Golden Globe Awards Best Actress – Miniseries or Television Motion Picture Ashley Judd Nominated [6]
Mira Sorvino Nominated
Primetime Emmy Awards Outstanding Lead Actress in a Miniseries or Special Ashley Judd Nominated [7]
Mira Sorvino Nominated
Outstanding Cinematography for a Miniseries or a Special John Thomas Nominated
Outstanding Hairstyling for a Miniseries or a Special Andre Blaise Nominated
Outstanding Music Composition for a Miniseries or a Special Christopher Young Nominated

References
  1. "Norma Jean & Marilyn (1996)". British Film Institute. Archived from the original on October 2, 2017. Retrieved July 26, 2023.
  2. Weinraub, Bernard (May 15, 1996). "Playing Two Marilyns, The Iconic, the Unloved". The New York Times. Retrieved July 26, 2023.
  3. O'Neal, Sean (November 23, 2011). "Mira Sorvino". The A.V. Club. Retrieved February 24, 2022.
  4. James, Caryn (May 18, 1996). "TELEVISION REVIEW;2 Bodies for the 2 Marilyn Monroes". The New York Times. Archived from the original on February 24, 2022. Retrieved February 24, 2022.
  5. "Norma Jean & Marilyn". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved July 12, 2012.
  6. "Norma Jean and Marilyn". Golden Globe Awards. Retrieved July 5, 2021.
  7. "Norma Jean and Marilyn". Emmy Awards. Retrieved July 13, 2021.
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