A two-part documentary examining the life and death of actress Brittany Murphy is currently in development for HBO Max. Upon playing the character, Tai Frasier, in the iconic nineties hit, Clueless in 1995, Murphy acquired greater recognition in Hollywood. She followed up her comedic performance with roles in Girl, Interrupted and Drop Dead Gorgeous. In 2002, Murphy landed a breakout part in rapper Eminem’s critically acclaimed film, 8 Mile. She later starred in a slate of other popular movies, including Just Married, Uptown Girls, and Happy Feet.
During this time, Murphy battled tabloid rumors that scrutinized her appearance and relationships. She repeatedly refuted the gossip that followed her as a rising star. In 2009, she was taken to Cedars-Sinai Hospital after collapsing in her Los Angeles Home. The Los Angeles County Coroner ruled that her primary cause of death was pneumonia. Many news outlets seized on the story, offering up informal conjectures about the conditions that led to Murphy’s death. To this day, conspiracy theories about what exactly happened in her Los Angeles home crop up in discussion boards and articles online.
According to The Wrap, Blumhouse Television and Pyramid Productions are producing a two-part documentary centered on Murphy for HBO Max. The official description emphasizes that the project, “presents an in-depth, intimate character portrait exploring the life and career and mysterious circumstances surrounding the tragic death of ’90s actress and rising star, Brittany Murphy.” The untitled film will reportedly draw from new interviews and archival footage to provide a multifaceted look at the actress’ life.
Director Cynthia Hill explained that she agreed to lead the project because she wanted to create a work that celebrated Murphy’s career, rather than allow her story to be weighed down by the unfortunate circumstances of her death. Similarly, Jennifer O’Connell, HBO Max’s Executive Vice President of non-fiction and live-action family programming, emphasized this same goal:
Our Brittany Murphy documentary cuts through the tabloid noise with an elevated, nuanced depiction of a sensational story…Crafting a grounded account of Brittany Murphy’s life struggles and sudden passing comes with great responsibility and we’ve partnered with a masterful creative team to produce a thoughtful examination of a tragedy that has long been cause for speculation.
The recent release of the documentary, Framing Britney Spears has catalyzed a greater conversation concerning the ways in which the entertainment industry continues to mistreat female actresses. More often than not, this type of harassment and ruthless tabloid bullying offer women in Hollywood little to no recourse, particularly when it is those in power who wield the abuse behind closed doors. It is no surprise that the critically acclaimed film, which has openly resonated with many viewers, has perhaps inspired other projects hoping to delve into the same issues. At the same time, the upcoming documentary on Murphy raises equally important questions about whether or not it is truly necessary to once again draw out the controversies that plagued her career, particularly if it is done not with a nuanced hand, but with a desire for clicks and soundbites.
Source: The Wrap