Contains spoilers from the Netflix documentary Martha.
Martha Stewart, the self-proclaimed lifestyle guru, is profiled in a new Netflix documentary, simply titled Marthaand she has some things to say about it. Billed by Netflix as the “unstoppable rise, sudden fall and hard-won return“by Martha Stewart, the documentary takes an in-depth look at the circumstances surrounding Martha Stewart’s 2005 trial and conviction for insider trading. THe, now 83, Stewart is not at all happy with Netflix’s portrayalthat she would rather have focused on a long and stellar public career as a businessman, writer and television personality.
Stewart’s fame and success came from several business ventures, which culminated in his writing several best-selling books, publishing his own Marrtha Stewart Living magazine and hosting two syndicated television programs: Martha Stewart Livingwhich ran from 1993 to 2004, and The Martha Stewart Show, which lasted from 2005 to 2012 after his release from prison. Something of an American icon, Stewart’s celebrity in the 1990s led to New York Times naming her as “the definitive American woman of our time.” In Martha, Stewart feels his public profile is portrayed in an unflattering light.
Martha Stewart criticized Netflix documentary about her life
Stewart is unhappy with how she is portrayed
After the release of RJ Cutler’s documentary, Stewart publicly stated that he found parts of the film “lacked color“, in addition to giving a lot of weight to his incarceration, which she now considers to have been nothing more than a two-year “vacation”. It also appears that Stewart was dissatisfied with the way Cutler photographed her, choosing only the “ugliest“camera angles and making it look”a lonely lady walking hunched over in the garden.” She continues telling the New York Times that “I hate those last scenes. I hate them.”
Martha The producers were also criticized by Stewart because they refused to edit out scenes that Stewart disliked most, and failed to adequately contextualize the fact that she was suffering after an operation on her Achilles tendon which she said limited her movement and made her less happy: “I told him to get rid of these scenes“, she says, “and he refused.” As a result, she criticizes Martha like “a little lazy.” Cutler’s response was that he is proud of the film, although he said NYT that he understands her unhappiness with”aspects of this.”
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Why Martha Stewart Agreed to Make the Netflix Documentary
Stewart expected a more positive portrayal
It appears that Martha Stewart agreed to the Netflix documentary proposal with the expectation that it would include more positive aspects of her life and work. Her obsession with her prison term is unwarranted, she argues: “The trial and actual incarceration lasted less than two years in a life span of 83 years,” she says. Even the musical score displeased her; she expected her story to be accompanied by rap from Dr. Dre or her friend Snoop Dogg and was dismayed when Cutler used “some bad classical score, which has nothing to do with me.
Despite his doubts, Stewart recognizes that Martha brought her some positive attention and respect. Some of her contemporaries praised the documentary for its portrayal of a survivor with a long history of achievement. in the face of prohibitive odds. Despite all its perceived flaws, she recognizes that the film shows “a strong woman defending herself and living through horror as well as great success.”
SOURCE: The New York Times
Martha is a heartfelt documentary that explores the life of lifestyle icon Martha Stewart. He chronicles his rise, dramatic challenges, and triumphant return, providing insight into his personal and professional journey through his own narration.