Today’s quick review: Gentlemen Prefer Blondes. Lorelei Lee (Marilyn Monroe) and Dorothy Shaw (Jane Russell), a pair of nightclub performers, take a trip to Paris to convince Lorelei’s wealthy fiance, Gus Esmond, Jr. (Tommy Noonan), to marry her. But Gus’s father disapproves of the marriage and sends Ernie Malone (Elliott Reid), a private investigator, to spy on Lorelei, whose flirtatious behavior threatens to sabotage her marriage.
Gentlemen Prefer Blondes is a romantic comedy about love and money. With a light tone, smart dialogue, and a pair of charming leads, Gentlemen Prefer Blondes is a breezy watch for fans of classic movies. It is a musical as well, and its songs are upbeat numbers worked in naturally throughout the film. Few of them are memorable, but all of them are pleasant, and “Diamonds Are a Girl’s Best Friend” has achieved fame since the movie’s release.
Jane Russell and Marilyn Monroe make a great duo. Marilyn Monroe plays Lorelei Lee, a ditzy woman with a stated preference for rich men. Jane Russell plays her best friend, Dorothy Shaw, a sharp woman with a good sense of humor. The gentlemen don’t make as much of an impact, but fine performances from Tommy Noonan, Elliott Reid, and Charles Coburn, playing a wealthy older man on the ship, help hold the movie together.
Watch Gentlemen Prefer Blondes when you are in the mood for something light and innocent. The interplay between Lorelei and Dorothy, the film’s unique take on love, and a few good songs make it worth keeping an eye out for if you are a fan of 50s musicals. Those who prefer their comedies with a bit more bite or their romances with a bit more drama may want to pass.
7.2 out of 10 on IMDB. I give it a 7.0 to 7.5 for sweet, entertaining comedy.