NEW Notorious Bettie Page (DVD)

I was familiar with some of Bettie Page's photographs, but did not know much about her life before going to see "The Notorious Bettie Page." Would it be sordid or the stuff of Greek tragedy? The iconic fetish and pinup model Bettie Page (Gretchen Mol) adorned the covers of numerous men's magazines and starred in 1 reel "specialty films" featuring bondage themes and attire which made her a target for the Senate subcommittee investigation on pornography in the 1950's.

The faux spankings, uncomfortable looking lingerie and impossible footwear which became Bettie's bondage stock in trade seem rather tame and even humorous by contemporary standards--but keep in mind, in the 1950's, married couples were represented on television as sleeping in twin beds and the subjects of pregnancy and sexual intimacy were seldom discussed and never realistically portrayed. Bettie's frisky and playful sexuality must have been shocking.

Unfortunately, the movie skims over Bettie's personal history in such a way as to cause a bit of confusion. I realize there is a large period of time covered rather quickly, but the film fails to bring her life into clear context in not wanting to dwell on how she coped with the more unhappy times of her life. While I appreciate the filmmakers not wanting to be cheap or exploitative about Bettie's personal pain, the film sacrifices substantial clarity.

I understand Gretchen Mol gained nearly 20 lbs. to replicate Bettie's voluptuous curves and the physical transformation is truly amazing. But, more importantly, Mol brings real heart to the role. Although Bettie was victimized throughout her life and her story had all the makings of a self-destructive tragedy, she maintained a sunny and positive outlook and had an innocence that makes her quite endearing. Bettie also found solace and an anchor in her faith.

Ms. Mol's performance is the main reason to see this film. She is stunning and completely fearless. I would rate her performance 5 stars and the film 3-1/2 stars.

A wonderfully produced film. Beautifully cast with Gretchen Mol as Betty Page. Gretchen Mol illuminates the screen with her portrayal of the 1950's pin-up queen. The film is rated R for its sexual content and nudity but I thought the film rather tame and left me more curious about the beginnings of Betty Page. Several scenes alluded to early sexual abuse and victimization in her personal life but didn't portray her as victim in her modeling career. I was left wondering about the woman who survived obvious hardships and yet came across as somewhat naïve about the photographs taken of her.

Perhaps it was the writing of the film that gave Betty Page a child's reasoning in a sexy package. This film gave her a sense of innocence that was at times mind boggling. When you pose in nothing but laced-up leather boots and a whip for a gentleman's magazine it's not just because you like beautiful pictures. Of course, they were beautiful.

The film was shot with both black and white film and what looked like Koda chrome color. The scenes of Betty Page in Miami were in beautiful koda chrome that lent itself to visions of vacations in the fifties where all the women are beautiful and all the men were Mr. Universe candidates. I loved the look of the film. Truly a visual delight and not just because Gretchen Mol was nude.

Before Hugh Hefner and Larry Flint there was Irving and Paula Klaw commissioning specialty photographs and distributing not so mainstream material of the time. The film opens to Betty Page waiting to be interview by the Senate investigating obscenity surrounding her photographs depicting bondage and whips.

I enjoyed the film and was mesmerized by its subject matter and visuals. I would have rathered had a better understanding of Betty Page but I got the feeling she was very complex even if she wasn't necessarily portrayed that way in this film.

Although the subject matter was serious at times you'll laugh and delight at the inner humor of Betty Page that very much comes across in the film.

girldiver:)

Mary Harron, one of a slew of concerned filmmakers to appear in Kirby Dick's recent indictment of the MPAA This Film is Not Yet Rated, writes and directs her third picture. The Notorious Bettie Page is about the cult icon and pinup and bondage model that influenced pornography's entry into the cultural mainstream. Bettie Page unwittingly became kind of symbol of women's liberation long after she rediscovered Christianity. She slipped into the mainstream in variable flashes in comic books, music, television, and of course a new generation of inspired Goth burlesque models. This film is her biopic and unlike many biopics the melodrama is downplayed which is of course good for both the subject matter as well as the length of the picture (just 90 minutes). It comes off as a bit more honest and real then some other biopics but on the other hand it sacrifices being as entertaining for these same reasons. Strange considering the rumors of her violent life after she left modeling.

Bettie Page is played by Gretchen Mol and the rest of the cast is good but they are truly drowned out by a boring script, and of course Gretchen herself. Mol's performance is anything but boring and shows a deep understanding of what makes Page a worthy icon. Mol seemingly disappeared for years and then suddenly showed up and did this. I don't want to dwell on how daring she is for the nudity she does in this movie, because even without that kind of commitment and risk Mol deserves the highest praise possible. She was outstanding and was arguably snubbed of some awards.

Mol is the only great thing about this movie. Page was naive to her situation and just happens to not be shy about showing off her body. You can even see in some of the bondage photos with whips in her hand that she may as well be holding a duster instead...while delicious cookies are being prepared in the kitchen. That innocence combined with the suggestive subject matter is what makes Page so enticing and exceptional. Gretchen Mol got that vibe just right and it permeates throughout this film.

In short, Bettie becomes a model and eventually meets Irving and Paula Klaw who begin shooting her bondage photos. She then goes on to model for Bunny Yeager and those photos show up in Playboy. Bettie gets caught up in a senate hearing about pornography and then she finds Protestantism and leaves modeling. The film doesn't bother to address the more controversial and debated elements to her later life (those mentioned in The Real Bettie Page: The Truth about the Queen of Pinups).

Mary Harron's vision focuses on her career and then just before her disappearance. These early years are worth knowing about even though the story doesn't contain some of the dramatic elements we might find in say Walk the Line or Ray. So it sticks to the public's perception of Bettie. Instead of going with the tabloid drama of her later life it focuses on why she is an icon and that is overall probably more important anyway. There is more that troubled me though as the film also doesn't even touch on the political commentary it could have. Maybe that's alright as well because Bettie Page didn't seem to understand or even care about her role in fighting censorship. Something tells me there could've been a more exciting story here but on the surface The Notorious Bettie Page is a beautifully shot film with one great performance...perhaps that is all it needed.

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