The Secret Life of Marilyn Monroe

Granted, the critical bar is set pretty low for Lifetime bio-pics, but this Emmy-nominated miniseries adaptation of J. Randy Taraborrelli's bestseller is actually a prestige production, elevated by two solid performances from Kelli Garner as the doomed screen goddess and Susan Sarandon as her toxic, mentally unstable mother. Of course, there is not all that much secret about Monroe, who has been written about perhaps more than any other celebrity. The narrative here follows Monroe from her tumultuous childhood (taken from her mother and raised by a guardian) up through her teenage marriage, modeling career, and later transition to “the pictures,” along with her high profile marriages to Joe DiMaggio (Jeffrey Dean Morgan) and Arthur Miller (Stephen Bogaert). Viewers are spared a portrayal of John F. Kennedy, but there is a recreation of Monroe's instantly iconic rendition of “Happy Birthday” for the president. Monroe relates all of this and more (duplicitous, manipulative studio bosses; the pills) to her psychologist (Jack Noseworthy). To her estimable credit, Garner, who portrays Marilyn from 16 to 36, embodies Monroe rather than impersonates her. “The camera loves you,” she is told, and Garner nails that. For many, Monroe's life remains endlessly fascinating; this miniseries does her more justice than most. Recommended. (D. Liebenson)