Starring: Gretchen Mol (Bettie Page), Chris Bauer (Irving Klaw), Jared Harris (John Willie), Sarah Paulson (Bunny Yeager), Cara Seymour (Maxie), David Strathairn (Estes Kefauver), Lili Taylor (Paula Klaw), Molly Moore (Young Bettie Page)
Directed by Mary Harron
Produced by Pamela Koffler, Katie Roumel, Christine Vachon
A provocative exploration of sexuality, religion and pop culture as she takes us into the 1950s and the fascinating world of famous pin-up girl, Bettie Page. In an incandescent performance, Gretchen Mol stars as Bettie Page, who grew up in a conservative religious family in Tennessee and became a photo model sensation in 1950s New York. Bettie's legendary fetish poses made her the target of a Senate investigation into pornography, and transformed her into an erotic icon who continues to enthrall fans to this day.
By modern standards Bettie Page just isn't sexy. Neither is Marilyn Monroe, but that doesn't seemed to have stopped anyone from idolizing her. Page and Monroe lived in an era before things like eating healthy and aerobics, and though those new innovations are now counterbalanced by the prevalence of fast food, I think it's a better world now all around.
But whether you think Bettie's a looker or not, as a historical figure she�s absolutely fascinating (and in her time controversial). Like Marilyn, she left her mark on American sexuality, but instead of standing in the glitz of Hollywood she did so in the pits of mechanic's garages and husbands locked shamefully away from their wives in the bathroom. Tackling her life as a feature film is a brilliant idea, and though it�s been done before, The Notorious Bettie Page is the first movie on her life to do so with any sort of quality. The last thing we need is another bad made-for-TV movie.
Bettie�s being played by Gretchen Mol, whom you may remember as the actress in the background of a lot of movies. She's been in Rounders, Donnie Brasco, The Thirteenth Floor, and Get Carter. Is she a good actress? We don't really know. She looks nothing like Bettie Page, so they clearly didn't cast her just for appearance. Though Gretchen doesn't really resemble Bettie in any of her previous work, from the stills released from the movie so far they've actually done an amazing job of transforming her into the legendary pinup. Great costuming and makeup can only make it easier for 34-year-old Gretchen to get the most out of her first starring role.
Note: This website is not meant for use by minors. The views expressed in the comments section below are not our own. This section is intended for discussion of the topic in the post above. Disagreement is encouraged, however comments which attack, insult, or threaten the author in a personal manner won't be published. Similarly, comments that we deem to be poorly worded, or wildly off topic will also not be approved and may be mocked. For free, uncensored, unfettered, and possibly dangerous discussion visit our forum.
This site is operated by Cinema Blend LLC. For advertising inquiries, contact Gorilla Nation. CinemaBlend.com is a private, independently owned website which is intended only as entertainment. The views expressed on this website may or may not reflect those of its owner. Don't take us too seriously.