Revisiting Marilyn Monroe: A Look at Her Five Most Defining Performances

In a recent retrospective, Variety’s chief film critic Owen Gleiberman explores the enduring legacy of Marilyn Monroe by highlighting five of her most significant screen roles. The analysis distinguishes between Monroe’s best films and her most impactful performances, noting that while she appeared in cinematic masterpieces like 'All About Eve,' her true brilliance often shone in projects where she could fully command the screen. The selection serves as both an introduction for new audiences and a reminder for long-time fans of her range, from comedic timing to raw dramatic vulnerability.

A central focus of the critique is the 1952 thriller 'Don’t Bother to Knock,' which serves as a testament to Monroe’s early, innate talent. Long before she began formal Method acting training under Lee Strasberg in 1955, Monroe displayed a sophisticated, high-wire ability to portray complex psychological states. Her performance as a troubled babysitter in this film is cited as a 'minor Method wonder,' showcasing a blend of sensuality, fierce intensity, and emotional instability that challenged the era's typical casting of her as a mere ingenue.

This retrospective matters because it reframes Monroe’s career trajectory, moving the narrative away from the 'goddess of sex' archetype toward a recognition of her as a serious, dedicated craftswoman. By examining her early work, the analysis highlights that Monroe’s star power was rooted in a deep, intuitive understanding of character. For modern audiences and industry observers, this serves as a reminder that her lasting influence on cinema is built on a foundation of genuine acting prowess that often went overlooked by her contemporaries.