6 Films About Women Undone by Their Beauty

The protagonist of Lyudmila Ulitskaya’s story “The Body of a Beauty,” Tanya, suffers half her life due to her attractive appearance. The thought that everyone only wants her for her body drives her to despair, leading her to hide from people and dream of “interesting” features like a long nose or crooked teeth.

One of life’s eternal tragedies: women with ordinary looks are convinced that beauties can have it all, but those whom nature has favored often become deeply unhappy. We have compiled a list of films about women who became victims of their ideal appearance. Some of these stories are written by life itself.

Malena, 2000

Every movement of Monica Bellucci in this film is a blend of sinful sexuality and monumental nobility. The main character has very few lines, making her seem more like a living painting than a real woman.

This is a story about a boy’s coming of age through his encounter with the ideal of femininity, the dramatic fate of an Italian widow, and the primitive cruelty of provincial society. Every walk Malena takes through the hot Sicilian streets is hypnotic, both for the film’s characters and the viewers. Your inner aesthete will be delighted.

Gia, 1998

Any film with Angelina Jolie, regardless of the plot, is a movie about beauty. The biographical drama “Gia” is based on the life of the legendary supermodel Gia Marie Carangi, who became one of the first women whose cause of death was openly attributed to AIDS.

I love Angelina’s early films for her spontaneity. In them, she is not a coquette in luxurious dresses but a wild spirit in stretched-out tees and ripped jeans, which only adds to her appeal. Jolie initially refused to star in “Gia,” explaining that the heroine’s story was too similar to her own.

My Week with Marilyn, 2011

A look at the unattainable Marilyn Monroe through the eyes of a shy young man who gets a job as the third assistant director on a film featuring the invited Hollywood star.

She was constantly accused of unprofessionalism and lack of talent, but it’s important to remember that Monroe never claimed to be the greatest actress. Her only role remained that of the sexy blonde: “People see me only as Marilyn Monroe. The moment they realize I’m not her, they run away.”

Viewers criticized the film for its slogan, “An incredible story from the life of a 20th-century legend,” finding nothing original in it. However, Michelle Williams’ performance, which earned her a Golden Globe, was highly praised. Interestingly, Monroe herself received the same award for her role in “Some Like It Hot.”

Lovelace, 2013

The biographical drama “Lovelace” is particularly relevant in light of the recent scandalous suicides of porn actresses. The plot is based on the life of Linda Lovelace, the star of the three-part film “Deep Throat.” Abuse and violence from her husband, who sold her after she gained fame. Problems with alcohol and drugs, sexual harassment by politicians, media moguls, and workers in the porn industry—the dark side of the story of a girl who became a porn star without much effort.

Her cruel husband taught Linda a good lesson. She dedicated the rest of her life to fighting for women’s rights.

White Oleander, 2002

The film by director Peter Kosminsky, based on the novel by Janet Fitch, tells the story of two beautiful women—a mother and her daughter. An artist raises her teenage daughter. Their ideal world collapses when the woman is imprisoned for poisoning her lover. The girl faces many cruel trials due to her striking appearance. Jealousy from her guardian, bullying from peers in the orphanage, complicated relationships with her mother, and a long road to independence.

The film did not receive any cinema awards, although most critics received it positively.

Head in the Clouds, 2004

The charming Gilda Besse learns from a fortune teller at a young age that she will die at 34. Life is a cabaret, she decides, and lives each day as if it were her last. She changes partners, travels, participates in wild parties—in short, she does everything you dream of doing every day while sitting at work.

A meeting with Guy changes her life, as he is the first to treat Gilda as more than just a sex object. The atmosphere of the years of fascist occupation of Paris adds dynamism to the film. And, as always, neighbors see the main character as someone completely different from who she really is.