I love a good and deserved redemption story.
Pamela Anderson, a Love Story is now streaming on Netflix. The documentary which was also co-produced by one of Pamela’s sons, Brandon Thomas Lee, gives you an unfiltered look at Pamela Anderson’s career. Throughout the documentary Pamela repeatedly says how some people may not like what she has to say here. That, thankfully doesn’t stop her from expressing herself in all her vulnerability while telling her story. From being discovered as a model in her early 20’s, to posing for Playboy and eventually becoming a household name with the help from Baywatch; Pamela Anderson has always been a hustler and it’s a shame that she’s not regarded as such.
She makes everything look easy; it’s part of the reason why she is so often overlooked but hearing it being told, her rise to fame was anything but a breeze. Throughout the documentary we get glimpses of the many hardships that she had to overcome throughout her life and you can’t help but ache for her throughout the film. Of course while going through her many career ups and downs, the story eventually lands on the infamous Pamela Anderson and Tommy Lee sex tape.
Thankfully it’s not the diluted and disrespectful version that Hulu put together. The story in Pamela Anderson’s words is full of the painful, the embarrassing, the stressful and though difficult to listen to, it’s about time somebody gave Pamela Anderson the platform to finally share her version of events. Her story being interweaved with clips of the countless disrespectful interviews she’s had to endure throughout her career was an eye opener. Of course we all knew it was happening, but seeing all those clips back to back really made me want to put all the late night hosts in a room to force them to apologize to Pamela.
Pamela Anderson is a hopeless romantic that keeps trying to get it right. Why should she be shamed for that? The world will always find something to criticize about women, and I just think countless marriages should be celebrated rather than looked down on. How strong can one be, to have their heart broken over and over again; yet, they still find room in their heart to try again? Why isn’t that a trait we celebrate?
Now comes the redemption! While filming the documentary Pamela Anderson got to do her Broadway debut in Chicago and finished her run on Broadway with glowing reviews. She also got to sit down with her two sons and review old home videos, the healing happened right in front of our eyes. If Pamela looks back on her career and sees a few missteps, I hope she can look directly into her sons’s eyes and know that she got two things absolutely right. The way they protect her and the way they speak about her is a testament of the phenomenal mother she has been.
If recent conversations have taught us anything, it’s the way the Hollywood system has continuously taken advantage of so many young women. It’s a truth that is often just being whispered about, but Pamela makes sure that you hear the quiet parts out loud in her documentary. I won’t lie to you, the documentary is definitely a frustrating watch, which is not to say it isn’t absolutely worth it; just feels like something you should know before you dive in. We need more stories like this! Stop taking people’s authority over their own stories! Allow women to take control of the narrative!
Forever looking sideways at everyone involved with Pam & Tommy Hulu.
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