portrait of a young woman

you don't need to know much about marilyn monroe to recognize her in 'the goddess.' i am just surprised this film was made during her lifetime. it seems so..... obvious.

what care i? actress kim stanley plays the role of a young woman who grasps at whatever will lift her out of the 'ugly' life she lives with her mother. her mother, who herself was once a restless young woman willing to leave her three year old with her brother who wouldn't allow it. end result: miserable mom, miserable kid.

watching kim stanley is a transcendental experience. i don't know how else to put it. she brings so much to every little thing. a flick of a finger has a reason. as the lead in this simply filmed story of the quick rise of an actress in hollywood, kim helps you to know what marilyn might have gone through. lord knows, countless people are curious. as i say, it is odd this came out during marilyn's life.

all the actors are seriously great. like kim, they might have come from the stage. in a few very short scenes you will be treated to a tiny little patty duke who portrays the actress as a neglected child. 

this film would not be considered a 'kitchen sink drama', but it shares the same lack of pretension in the portrayals and environment. imagine if marlon brando made 'a streetcar named desire' and only a couple other movies. we'd be holding on tight to those few. that's what you have to do with kim stanley. 

i adore this revealing, if at times hokey, film.