Flora Xie (she/her)
When this show came out, it was all I heard people talking about for weeks. The show recounts Pamela Anderson and Tommy Lee’s chaotic relationship and the gruelling revenge porn that dominated tabloid news for endless cycles. I don’t even know where to begin with it.
The fact that Anderson did not have any involvement with this production combined with how it had mostly men directing and writing raised many red flags for me. And it shows in the end product. The story is told in a way where we are supposed to feel sympathetic to the perpetrator’s (Seth Rogan) actions, situations, and consequences—this is particularly uncomfortable to watch. What’s worth watching is Lily James and Sebastian Stan’s stellar performances. They really transformed into their characters and there were some episodes where I genuinely forgot they weren’t the actual people.
As gratifying as it was to see Anderson persevere through the traumatic experience, it was incredibly ironic that the show acknowledged how much Anderson wanted privacy but still perpetuated that invasion of privacy by dredging up and commercialising this very personal experience. As you go through the harrowing motions with Anderson on screen, the thought of how she must be feeling right now, having to relive the events again, really nags at you in the back of your mind.
Entertainment at what cost?
