Ana de Armas’ “Blonde” Just got a 14 Minute Standing Ovation
When it comes to portraying the timeless iconic beauty like Marilyn Monroe, I suppose the only logical choice is Ana de Armas. Director of “Blonde” Andrew Dominik definitely seemed to think so. “It was like love at first sight. When the right person walks through the door, you know it.”
She had her doubters, sure. They weren’t a fan of her Cuban accent bleeding through into her delivery of the actress and model who was famous for her breathy vocalisation. Marc Rosen who’s the president of entertainment at Authentic Brands Group (ABG), which owns the Marilyn Monroe Estate was quick to defend her performance. “Marilyn Monroe is a singular Hollywood and pop culture icon that transcends generations and history. Any actor that steps into that role knows they have big shoes to fill. Based on the trailer alone, it looks like Ana was a great casting choice as she captures Marilyn’s glamour, humanity and vulnerability. We can’t wait to see the film in its entirety!”
When Andrew Dominik’s “Blonde” debuted its world premier at the 2022 Venice Film Festival, it received a 14 minute long standing ovation. It’s a stonker of a film as well, hitting nearly a three hour runtime. The film, which releases 28th of September on Netflix, is based off the bestselling novel by Joyce Carol Oates and examines the widening split between Monroe’s public and private personas. Ana’s performance is supported by Adrien Brody, with production done by Brad Pitt, who was also visibly pleased with the reception the film got at the Film Festival.
Ana de Armas is no stranger to the stardom Monroe had to endure, and she found a kindred spirit in playing her. “If you put aside the movie star she is, she’s just a woman, just like me. Same age. It was a project I knew I had to let myself open and go to places I knew were going to be uncomfortable and dark and vulnerable.”
“I wasn’t in character all the time. But I felt that. I was living that. I felt that heaviness and that weight in my shoulders. And I felt that sadness,” de Armas said. “She was all I thought about. She was all I dreamed about. She was all I talked about… It was beautiful. “
