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I hadn't watched anything featuring Marilyn Monroe until the past couple of years. Thus, for the longest time, I assumed that her reputation was roughly correct; she probably wasn't a great actress, but she was pretty good, to be cast in so many classic films by legendary directors. Or at least decent.

When I actually sat down and watched a number of films featuring her, I was stunned at how awful she was. The only time Marilyn Monroe is even serviceable occurs when she is playing a silly, comic role in a film made by a great director surrounded by a bevy of outstanding talent. Outside of those very strict parameters, she is utter garbage. Hell, it might even be more specific than that. I hope she profusely thanked whatever deity she believes in for the existence of Billy Wilder.

Some Like It Hot (1959)- Wilder directed, surrounded by unbelievable comic talent. Lemmon and Curtis at the height of their powers. Monroe plays a ditzy, sleazy airhead, which, revisionism aside, is very close to what she was. She looks really beautiful, and her acting is okay.

The Seven Year Itch (1955) - Another Wilder classic, and another ditzy airhead role. This time, she is playing off the talents of Tom Ewell, who is excellent here, even if I keep wondering what would have happened if Wilder's original pick, a then-undiscovered Walter Matthau, got the role.

Monkey Business (1952) - This is where it starts breaking down. Howard Hawks was a legendary director in his own right, a master of multiple genres, but he wasn't as great at comedy as Wilder was. The talent surrounding Marilyn is still incredible; Cary Grant, Ginger Rogers, and Charles Coburn. Her role is a secondary, comic one, but she isn't as quite much of a ditz.

Monroe is utterly invisible and downright forgettable. I doubt anyone can remember a single good scene featuring her. Meanwhile, I can think of multiple fine quips and moments with Charles Coburn's character, who is also secondary.

How to Marry a Millionaire (1953) - Jean Negulesco is a far cry form Hawks or Wilder, but it's still a light comedy, and the rest of the talent is still amazing; Lauren Bacall, Betty Grable, Fred Clark, and William Powell. Marilyn isn't such a blatant airhead, but it's still a comic role.

And poor Marilyn is worse than useless here. She is utterly outshined by not just by Bacall, not just by Betty Grable, her two co-stars, but even by all the male suitors. She is dry, boring, and unfunny.

The River of No Return (1955) - Otto Preminger is a good director, but the script fucking sucks, and this is a bad movie overall. Worst though, it's a drama. And Marilyn is playing a serious, intelligent character. Oh, and she is expected to carry scenes on her own.

Needless to say, it's a fucking trainwreck. I was almost laughing during Marilyn's serious, "dramatic" scenes. They're that bad and blatantly forced and faked. And while it's a crap film, her co-star, Robert Mitchum, still turns in a fine performance. Hell, even a secondary character played by Rory Calhoun is pretty good! Marilyn, though, is one of the worst parts of the movie.

Focus-

Do you agree with my assessment of Monroe's acting abilities? (Not talking about her looks, obviously) Am I being too harsh? Was she ever serviceable in a non-comedy role where she didn't play an airhead, or wasn't directed by Wilder?