DOCUFILM REVIEW: PAMELA, A LOVE STORY (2023)
How Much Substance Is There to the Former Blonde Bombshell?
It’s been a hot minute since I’ve sat down and watched a movie, documentary or TV show to break down. Between the holiday season (accompanied by an underwhelming crop of 2022 Christmas flicks), work, podcasting and some home improvement projects, I’ve lacked the opportunity to enjoy more leisure time. I finally got the chance a few days ago to scroll Netflix for something interesting to watch---and landed on “Pamela, a love story.” I know the mainstream stuff of her life like most do--- a Playboy model, starred on Baywatch, married to Tommy Lee, had a sex tape leak out, etc. and was interested to see if there’s more substance to her than I imagined. Is there? Is this a good docufilm worthy of your time? Here’s my take:
PROS: “Pamela, a love story” shows an exceptionally candid and sometimes emotional depiction of Pamela Anderson taking back her life through her own narrative. I’m not going to lie---this doc made me see her in an entirely new light. Now knowing how objectified she’s spent most her life, I’ve got a ton of newfound respect for how pleasant her demeanor comes across despite everything. Were it me I may be ready to fight the world. Generally speaking If you know nothing or not much of Pamela Anderson’s life and career, this guides you through both the good and bad. Additionally, the photo and video archives of Pamela’s youth and early career are visually spectacular. I mean, I was stunned and admittedly in the most pleasant way to see many of her naked photographs from back in her Playboy posing days. Also, for someone who once enjoyed a prolific career based so much on looks, I found it refreshing if not courageous for Pamela to spend huge chunks of this documentary with literally no makeup on---making herself physically vulnerable and often showing her age (55).
CONS: This literally just dropped days ago so I don’t want to spoil plotlines for many that haven’t seen it yet, but I was very displeased with the gloomy vibe narrative in the final moments literally just a scene or two removed from what felt like should’ve been the triumphant ending I was rooting for. Also, while intimate details of her personal and professional career are discussed and highlighted, it felt her other marriages (five following Tommy Lee) were too quickly glossed over --- merely a blip in her life, including the man she’s currently married to when filming started. I’m talking like an utter afterthought. I understand this is a documentary primarily told by Pamela but it would’ve nice and perhaps more balanced to have talking head testimonials from other parties besides herself, her sons or parents---such as maybe a former husband or two for starters or someone from the media who treated her like shit. I was also left wondering with the Broadway production of “Chicago” being such a focal point of the back end of the film, how exactly she ended up with the leading role of Roxy. All we’re told is she got a script sent to her and she loved it. What was the process of her being ticketed and pursued for the role?
VERDICT/GRADE: This is the third time in less than a calendar year we’re seeing Pamela Anderson’s story told. There’s also the Hulu miniseries “Pam and Tommy” (completely unauthorized by Pam and Tommy) in addition to her recently published memoir “Love, Pamela.” If you’ve seen the miniseries and read the book, perhaps this offering is a bit Pamela overkill. My knowledge of Pamela wasn’t great and that’s beneficial to me here---learning so much about her kept me completely invested and made an hour and 52-minute documentary never drag its knuckles. It’s remarkably sad this woman— the ultimate 1990s sex symbol with the cool chick next door vibes failed at finding and holding on to love so many times, in part because I don’t think she ever truly loved herself. Is Pamela the extreme hopeless romantic or has she spent her life always seeking love and approval from men she didn’t feel the same for? It’s clear her defense mechanisms always was and remains fully up, understandable given how things went down with Tommy Lee, not to mention the indignant manner she was often treated by the media in general (highlighted in this documentary with several clips, including a few by an insensitive and unfunny Jay Leno).
By no means do I think this film is flawless because again, among other things I hated how other potential conflicting viewpoints weren’t represented. But I think it’s revealing, honest and a really intriguing stroll down memory lane both narratively and visually, without losing site of the fact Anderson’s very much alive now and ready to thrive. It makes me sad that more people didn’t appreciate her more being on top of the world rather than waiting for her to fall from grace before caring to really know her story—and by more people not appreciating I’m including myself. Solid flick that’s definitely worth watching.
Grade: B