'The Brittany Murphy Story'
(Sherilyn Fenn, Amanda Fuller, Eric Petersen, et al / DVD / NR / 2015 / LGF)
Overview: A look at Brittany Murphy's rise to Hollywood fame in the 1990s, her struggles with celebrity and self-esteem, and her mysterious death in 2009 at the age of 32.
DVD Verdict: OK, as if this wasn't always going to be a painful car wreck to watch, it still does have it's interesting, nay revealing moments of cinematic exposure. When perky student Amanda Fuller (as Brittany Murphy) acts poorly in a high school stage show she still seen by a TV ad producer and quickly becomes successful making commercials. They say it's because she looks "average."
Hoping to become a real actress, Ms. Fuller demands single mom Sherilyn Fenn (as Sharon) move from New Jersey to Los Angeles, CA. Very quickly, Fuller's "Brittney" lands a guest-starring role on Murphy Brown - then, she is off and running. Now a big TV star, Brittney wants to be in films. So, she becomes a sensation in 'Clueless,' but all is not well. Fuller's "Brittney" receives a smile from a young model-type hunk on the set, but he calls her a "chunky monkey".
In spite of her pounds, Fuller lands in bed with hunky Adam Hagenbuch (as Ashton Kutcher), of course. Cue en masse of photographers and paparazzi who constantly now swarm around her ever move. The 'Clueless' star (double pun, sadly) eventually learns photographer Eric Petersen (as Simon Monjack) was correct when he warned her all photogs are scum! Over the years, they become chunky chums together! Ahhhh.
Sadly, as the tale continues to unfold, one of the big problems with this biography - and there are a few - is that the star is the most uninteresting character in the drama! Her mother and "Simon" are more interesting. Director Joe Menendez and his crew occasionally move the players around well, but it's all episodic - there is no connecting tissue, so to speak. The star's rise seems to happen overnight, and no particular skills are shown. Thus, we are left to wonder why this person warranted a movie at all. This is a Widescreen Presentation (1.85:1) enhanced for 16x9 TVs.
www.LGF.com