The Secret Life of Marilyn Monroe

Although a little sluggishly paced, this miniseries, based on the eponymously titled book by J. Randy Taraborrelli, makes a decent attempt to show why Monroe, born Norma Jeane Mortenson, was never comfortable in her own skin.... Garner gives a surprisingly confident, spunky performance as the Monroe.

Kelli Garner manages to bring a freshness to her interpretation of Monroe that never feels like caricature.

The cuts back to Garner and Noseworthy make sure that every concept is laid out bare, rather than allowing for any shades of subtlety.

It feels painted by the numbers.

Mostly, it’s a dutiful but nothing-new account of the ultimate anti-feminist icon.

The teleplay by Stephen Kronish adheres to the standard biopic highlight-reel template, moving in a mostly straight line from early days to final moments, aside from a hackneyed framing device in which Marilyn spills her guts to a handsome, sympathetic psychiatrist.... Most of Marilyn’s film career is left offscreen or referenced in awkward expository dialogue.

Both pics [Grace of Monaco and The Secret Life of Marilyn Monroe] are dreadful, badly written, and badly produced.... The Secret Life of Marilyn Monroe is far more watchable, due to a fine turn by Garner and author Taraborrelli's unique approach, which focuses on an aspect of Monroe's life usually ignored: Her complex relationship with her mother, Gladys (Susan Sarandon).