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I’ll never
claim to be a Martha Stewart fan. I’ve
watched some of her shows with my wife,
and though she has some really nifty ideas
for the holidays and some darn fine recipes,
I could never get over the fact that she
seemed to be totally of personality. I would
watch her talking at guests, and hardly
ever to them. Now I certainly can’t
speak for what kind of person she is off-screen,
but the image that is portrayed in “Martha,
Inc.” is not a pleasant one.
Cybill Sheperd stars as Martha Stewart is
this Made-For-TV biopic that traces her
rise to power from a housewife to becoming
the head of a multi-billion dollar operation.
It then focuses on her recent run in with
the law as she is accused of some stock
market dalliances. Sheperd, who I’ve
read in interviews is a Stewart supporter,
portrays the queen of domesticity with a
vengeance. We see her chewing out just about
everyone in her life, making one wonder
if there is a nice bone in her body.
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Based on the book by Christopher Bryan, “Martha,
Inc.” paints a pretty one-sided picture
of Stewart, and though as I mentioned I am no
fan, it would be nice to hear from some other
sources. I’m interested in what she was
able to do outside of her personality to make
things work. Show us she went from nothing to
making a billion dollars. Of course, we live in
an age of sensationalism, and anytime someone
who has made a success of their lives hits snag,
we’re eager to gobble it up. In almost every
instance, the celebrity is considered and treated
as though they are guilty.
Aside from the fact that this movie is a bit on
the nasty side, I can’t say it isn’t
entertaining. Watching Sheperd skulk, stare and
berate her way through Stewart’s life does
make for an interesting evening. To make it seem
a little less unfair, I just try to look at it
as a movie and nothing more. It’s fiction
until some proves to me otherwise.
The DVD release from Lions Gate doesn’t
offer up any extra features, which is somewhat
of a disservice. This might have been the perfect
opportunity to include some nice recipes, or perhaps
show me a decorative way to display my DVD collection.
Directed by: Jason Ensler
Starring: Cybill Sheperd, Tim Matheson, Joanna
Cassidy, Jude Ciccollela, Dorie Barton
Extras: None
Specifications: Full Screen
Studio: Lions Gate Films
Release Date: 2/17/2004
Region 1
MPAA Rating: PG (Language and Some Thematic Elements)
Website
We'll give Martha Inc a C+.
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