Martha Inc.: The Story of Martha Stewart (2003)
Directed by Jason Ensler
Genres - Drama |
Sub-Genres - Biopic [feature], Satire |
Release Date - May 19, 2003 (USA - Unknown) |
Run Time - 120 min. |
Countries - Canada, United States |
MPAA Rating - NR
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Synopsis by Hal Erickson
The casting of Cybill Shepherd as billionaire home-economics doyenne Martha Stewart in this made-for-TV biopic allegedly grew from a quip made by Today Show host Matt Lauer, that only three people were qualified to portray Martha: Shepherd, Candice Bergen, and Robin Williams (!). The film follows the traditional rags-to-riches route, as Martha rises from a poverty-stricken childhood in Nutley, NJ, to the head of a vast financial empire, largely founded upon her talent for whipping up inexpensive gourmet meals and her sagacious, tasteful home-decorating tips. (It is explained that this metamorphosis is borne of necessity, after Martha's lawyer husband, Andy [Tim Matheson], suffers a lengthy spell of unemployment.) Much is made of the contrast between the sweet, benign "public" Stewart and the hell-on-wheels "private" Stewart, and of course a great deal of footage is devoted to the Wall Street insider-trading scandal that brought about her spectacular downfall. Highlights include a vivid recreation of the confrontation between Stewart and TV host Jane Clayson on the set of CBS' Morning Show. Based on a best-selling book by Christopher Byron, Martha, Inc.: The Story of Martha Stewart first aired May 19, 2003, on NBC.
Characteristics
Themes
Keywords
rise-to-fame, decoration, home-improvement, celebrity, homemaker, insider-trading, success, stock-market