Martha Stewart is an ‘unreliable narrator’ but also ‘a visionary,’ documentary director says

As I delve into Martha Stewart‘s life story, presented so vividly in this documentary, I find myself both captivated and empathetic towards her. The woman behind the immaculate kitchen and gardening tips has led an extraordinary life, filled with triumphs, tribulations, love, loss, and a touch of scandal.

The way Martha Stewart sees it, her life story is pretty simple.

In the documentary “Martha,” premiering on Netflix this Wednesday, we hear about a woman who belongs to a family of eight, residing in Nutley, N.J., leading a simple life. She comes up with a brilliant idea, turns it into something exceptional, and reaps the benefits. Later, she shares that she experiences a setback, describing it as “falling into a hole,” implying she must find a way to climb out of it.

Martha showcases a more refined perspective on this tale, illustrating how Stewart transcended her modest beginnings to establish a billion-dollar multimedia lifestyle company by embracing and elevating something previously overlooked. As she herself stated, “celebrating something that’s been put down for so long.” However, Stewart’s business triumphs did not shield her from criticism. Her empire started to crumble in 2004 when she was found guilty of obstruction of justice charges in a sensationalized trial, often referred to as the “bitch hunt,” which appeared to be just as much about her character as it was about the law.

Under the guidance of director R.J. Cutler, “Martha” offers an insightful exploration into Martha Stewart’s tumultuous childhood, her stormy union with publisher Andy Stewart, her challenging experience in prison, and her remarkable transformation into a shrewd octogenarian trendsetter who collaborates with Snoop Dogg. The documentary includes a candid interview with Stewart, alternating between being evasive and forthrightly truthful. Additionally, it presents personal photographs, diary entries, and letters from Stewart’s private collection.

Martha Stewart’s portrayal doesn’t sugarcoat her tough, exacting demeanor, but it also argues that she was unjustly criticized and eventually prosecuted due to her gender. In recent years, popular culture has been giving more compassionate reevaluations to women from the not-so-distant past who were embroiled in scandals, such as Monica Lewinsky, Britney Spears, and Pamela Anderson. Now, it’s Stewart’s turn for a fresh perspective.

In a Zoom interview, Cutler remarked, “She’s an innovative thinker.” However, throughout her journey, there were always individuals – or groups of individuals – who doubted her and told her that she was making a mistake.

The genesis of the project can be traced back several years, during a dinner conversation between Stewart and Cutler. They spent countless hours discussing Stewart’s past, particularly her upbringing in a working-class Polish American family where finances were always tight. To support her parents, she took up modeling as a teenager. This contrasted sharply with the image of privilege and formality that Cutler had initially envisioned for her, given her patrician appearance.

Cutler strongly believed that there was an essential narrative to be shared about American womanhood towards the end of the 20th century, and he felt Martha would be perfect for bringing this story to light. Excited to share her own tale, Martha agreed. Notably, Cutler has produced numerous documentaries featuring prominent figures such as Billie Eilish and Elton John, with “Billie Eilish: The World’s a Little Blurry” already released and “Elton John: Never Too Late,” premiering on Disney+ in December.

Following multiple get-togethers, such as a meeting over lunch at Stewart’s office (the memory of that salad dressing lingers), they started collaborating on a project known as “Martha.” (Cutler mentioned this)

As a seasoned movie reviewer, I recently had the unique opportunity to delve into the captivating life of Martha Stewart through a thought-provoking documentary. This film, aptly titled “Martha,” provides an intimate look at the 83-year-old businesswoman, who continues to defy stereotypes and challenge expectations.

During the interview, we gain not only factual insights about Martha, but also a deep understanding of her personality. It’s clear how difficult it was for her to face parts of her own narrative. Moreover, it offers a glimpse into her as an inconsistent storyteller. Cutler stated this.

In various instances, Stewart appears to exhibit hypocrisy and a lack of self-awareness. During a conversation about her husband’s infidelity, she states, “If your spouse cheats on you while married, they’re a jerk.” However, it is revealed that she herself had an affair early in her marriage, which she claims Andy was unaware of. Additionally, she reminisces about passionately kissing a stranger during her honeymoon in Italy, justifying it as an emotional experience rather than being unfaithful or naughty.

Almost as enlightening as the interview are the letters, diary entries, and other personal documents from Stewart, which reveal the intense emotions simmering beneath her cold exterior. In a passionate letter penned to her husband during their tumultuous marriage, she expresses thoughts of setting fire to their home and hoping for a plane crash.

In addition, you’ll find an unseen video clip of Stewart, filmed at home not long before her 2004 sentencing, where she scolds an employee for cutting oranges with the wrong knife. Her friends offer some particularly harsh assessments, labeling her as relentless; they claim that people often felt mistreated by her and compare her to a formidable great white shark.

Martha, too, is aware that Stewart’s gender played a role in the intense scrutiny she faced when compared to men in similar positions. This disparity is evident in the insider trading scandal involving Stewart, which erupted after she sold shares in ImClone Systems, a biopharmaceutical company, in 2001, at a time when the FDA refused approval for an experimental drug the company was developing. The trial turned into a spectacle for the media, much like her stay at a West Virginia prison nicknamed “Camp Cupcake” due to its supposedly lenient conditions. (Stewart has discussed being subjected to strip searches and solitary confinement for minor infractions.)

In my viewpoint, the movie suggests that the case against Stewart, orchestrated by then-U.S. Atty. James Comey, was unfairly selective and relied on a tactic of making her stand trial for being perceived as a nuisance. The key witness in this instance was an assistant who testified about a time when Stewart expressed her dissatisfaction with the music on hold when answering the phone. To be put on trial for such petty behavior, one must truly be an exceptional annoyance, and I believe that being upset over a phone’s hold music hardly qualifies as such.

In a more compassionate view of her legal predicament, Stewart has openly criticized the show “Martha” as ‘lacking’ due to its intense focus on her trial. However, Cutler remains unfazed by this criticism, praising Stewart’s bravery for sharing her story with him, describing it as an act of ‘extraordinary courage’.

He went on to say, ‘Indeed, Martha’s movie would have been distinct from mine, holding unique elements. To some extent, I appreciate her reminder that this is my project, and I hold the ultimate creative control.’

Following a recent event in the Hamptons, Culter shared that Alec Baldwin approached Stewart and expressed his increased admiration for her due to this occasion.

Cutler stated, “People are telling me they’re connecting with Martha Stewart on a level they never have before.

In the end, the documentary paints a relatable, human picture of someone frequently perceived as embodying an impossible standard of perfection. Additionally, following Stewart’s famous phrase, this is certainly beneficial.

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2024-10-30 19:01