The Netflix documentary “Martha Stewart: Living the Life” gives a deep look into the life and career of the lifestyle icon. From her early years as a model and stockbroker to her rise as a multi-media mogul, it is a captivating story. The documentary follows her life through the ups and downs of her fame, including her time in prison and her controversial legal battles. What made the documentary truly amazing is the honesty of Stewart as she reflects on her life showing her true self, not just the perfect image she created of herself.
One of the major highlights of the film is how Stewarts entrepreneurship is shown. Her sense of business was quickly revealed as she turned a small catering company into a billion-dollar empire, proving how hard-working and driven she was. The documentary also sheds light on how she is a woman with a vision and she would not be defined by the setbacks she faced whether she’s cooking, gardening, or entertaining, Martha Stewart’s influence on American culture is huge with a legacy that is ever-living and the documentary truly did a great job capturing that.
The cinematography, much like Stewart’s aesthetic, was polished and well done and the interviews with her family members, friends, and colleagues offered a different look into multiple aspects of her life, personal and professional. Despite the glamorous lifestyle we usually see, the film didn’t shy away from the darker aspects of her story, including the public shame she faced from her insider trading conviction. The contrast and balance between both were well done and gave us a full view of the figure.
Students at Grosse Pointe South might find this documentary especially appealing for many reasons. First, Stewart’s journey from humble beginnings to self-made success is an inspiring story for young people who are starting to think about the next phases of their lives and who they want to be in the future. Her story demonstrates how patience and flexibility are key lessons for students when entering an extremely competitive world. Second, her influence on lifestyle and branding might intrigue students who have an interest in business, marketing, and media as the documentary gives a real-life example of how you can work from the ground up. This documentary is a recommended watch for all.
