Marilyn Monroe's Five Defining Film Roles: A Critical Retrospective
By
Owen Gleiberman
A baker's-dozen of insight crammed into one ring.
Summary
A retrospective analysis of Marilyn Monroe's five greatest film roles, examining how they defined her as both an iconic figure and a talented actress. The article discusses films such as "Clash by Night," "Don't Bother to Knock," and others, evaluating whether her greatest roles also correspond to her greatest movies. The piece serves as a guide for both newcomers and longtime fans, highlighting performances that showcase Monroe's range and enduring appeal.
Key quotes
· 3 pulledHere's a Marilyn gallery we hope is of value to everyone — to those young enough not to have seen these films before (in which case we envy you!), or to those who've seen every one of them, since they're all movies you can watch again and again.
A crucial question: Are Marilyn's five greatest roles also her five greatest movies? Mostly, but not always.
Clash by Night is actually a better film than Don't Bother to Knock, which came out th
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