I picked this up because I have a soft spot for Gretchen Mol and I was curious about Bettie Page and the art of the pin-up in the early 20th Century, although I felt a little dirty taking it off the shelf. I shouldn’t have. This is the sweetest, most innocent movie about sex and vice that I’ve ever seen. Not that the vice is particularly shocking: these were the shame of the 50s, after all, so they’re not terribly horrifying half a century later. But this movie effectively gives you a sense of the time and the viewpoints of the people who live there, as well as the story of Bettie Page, a woman who is seemingly a curiosity – a devoutly Christian fetish model. Mol handles a very difficult role incredibly well, and carries the picture on her shoulders. I also enjoyed Chris Bauer and Lili Taylor as Irving & Paula Klaw, the brother-sister act who first got Page into fetish modeling. An interesting study of character and circumstances: recommended!

Back in the days when the sight of a bare breast was considered pornography, Bettie Page was (innocently) taking off all her clothes, posing for very tasteful pin-ups and acting in (virtually comedic) bondage films. This HBO venture does a good job of capturing the atmosphere of the 1950s. The use of B&W is absolutely appropriate for a documentary feel, as is the use of color later in the film. What I liked most was the way Bettie (Gretchen Mol) is portrayed as so sweet and playful as she’s making the most adult films of the time. Her character remains consistent throughout, unapologetic and pure, despite a brutal rape, an abusive marriage, hard times financially, and a society that views her nudity as a sin. I also got a kick out of David Strathairn’s small part as the head of the Senate’s porno investigation committee, a 180-degree turn from his Good Night, and Good Luck role as Edward R. Murrow.

I am an avid Bettie fan, so naturally I had to see the movie. It was exactly what I expected it to be. Not extremely horrible, but not incredibly great either. They could have done a better job casting her but I hear Gretchen Mol was the only person willing to take her clothes off for the amount they were paying. Though it was nice to see a fresh face, I liked her. I still plan on buying the film when it’s available on DVD.