Mansfield 66/67

Mansfield 66/67 is a captivating and imaginative 2017 documentary film exploring the final years in the life of the iconic 1950s sex symbol and actress, Jayne Mansfield. Directed by P. David Ebersole and Todd Hughes, the film offers an enchanting blend of well-researched narrative, entertaining visuals, vibrant animations, and expert interviews as it dives into Mansfield’s intriguing life and persona, as well as her intriguing end.

The film centers mainly on the last two years of Mansfield's life from 1966 to 1967, juxtaposing its focal subject's Hollywood life with her association with the Church of Satan's flamboyant founder Anton LaVey. Jayne Mansfield, renowned for her platinum blonde hair, hourglass figure, and distinctively high-pitched baby talk in films, had a wit and intelligence that was less known than her bodily assets and was she often stigmatized due to her bombshell persona.

Mansfield 66/67 is not merely a biography, but provides a broader contextual look at the climate of the entertainment industry during Mansfield’s time. It reflects on the sociocultural zeitgeist of the 60s, the era's transforming sexual politics, and how it impacted the fate and reputation of star personas like Mansfield.

The directors have ingeniously brought together an array of perspectives through interviews to narrate Mansfield's tale. Many of the interviewees are those with firsthand knowledge of Mansfield or are scholars who have studied her life deeply. Some of the people featured include filmmaker Kenneth Anger, gossip columnist A.J. Benza, actress Tippi Hedren, director John Waters, and drag queen Peaches Christ. Intertwining the factual accounts with wholesome cultural sagacity, these elements provide an undercurrent of academic rigor to the film.

A major highlight of Mansfield 66/67 is its exploration of Mansfield's relationship with Anton LaVey. This imparts a fascinating touch of the occult into the storyline, with rumors of curses and satanic rituals adding to a heady mix of Hollywood glamour and suspense. The film uses this connection to dissect distortions of Mansfield's public image and the wider fascination/repulsion society has with celebrity culture.

Stylistically, the film is far from a traditional documentary. It employs an abundance of artistic elements, with camp reenactments and animated sequences that serve to break up the segments of talking-head-style information relay. The movie embraces its sensational subject with a sense of exuberance, playfulness, and theatricality that matches the larger-than-life persona of Jayne Mansfield herself.

In terms of archival material, it is plentiful and well-utilized. The film features copious amounts of home movie footage, photographs, and film clips, which merge flawlessly with the newly shot footage. The aesthetic builds a retro and vibrant atmosphere that is captivating and undeniably entertaining.

For fans of Jayne Mansfield, Mansfield 66/67 offers a chance to revisit her legacy and perhaps even learn something new about her. For those who are less familiar with the star, the documentary provides an impressive introduction, stimulating interest in her life and works. Therefore, the film appeals to a broad audience, ranging from fans of classic Hollywood cinema to lovers of pop culture and history.

The documentary does an exceptional job of not only looking into Mansfield's life but also fleshing out the era she lived in, the societal norms during that time, and how they corresponded with her personal and professional choices. Despite the tragic and premature death of its subject, the film is in many ways a celebration of Mansfield’s life, shining a light on her intelligence, her humor, and her knack for self-promotion, which went largely unnoticed during her era.

In conclusion, Mansfield 66/67 is more than just an intriguing documentary. It serves as a multi-layered cultural exploration, stepping seamlessly between analysis and wit, and is adorned with a beautifully flamboyant visual style. The depiction of Jayne Mansfield, as a woman both of her time and beyond it, wrapped in a delicacy of dark humor, camp aesthetics, and serious academic insight, is compellingly unique — much like the lady herself. It's an entertaining viewing experience for all, whether you're a fan of Mansfield, classic Hollywood or just intrigued by the ironic, mysterious, and often surreal tapestry of celebrity life.