On the glossy, slick surface of things, it would appear that actress and model Brooke Shields has led a life of privilege and success with few problems. Considered one of the great beauties and sex symbols of our time, Shields has consistently courted the image of herself as the girl with the “right” morality (remember how publicly Shields spoke out about virginity and cigarette smoking?) and the all-American girl next door.
As an actress, Shields managed to portray a highly sexualized young girl in such films as Pretty Baby without tarnishing her lily white, so-pure-it-floats image and more, Shields possesses that rare beauty that seems effortless; that comes of good-breeding and chance. And while anyone else with those bushy dark eyebrows may look simply under-groomed or inelegant, on Shields they became part of her signature look, even lending a sexiness that simply didn’t work on most others. And more, whatever she did, whether it was modeling or acting or being interviewed, Shields always seemed to have it all figured out: she was always poised and whatever role she happened to be playing, she played it convincingly, even in The Blue Lagoon, which would have been rather insipid in most ways were it not for Shield’s performance, which made it seem almost conceivable that this beautiful, lithe long-haired girl lived a life of bliss and first love, her long lithe (and nude) body slipping through the depths of the aqua water.
True, this was not initially a life Shields chose for herself. It was her mother who started Brooke in modeling when she was not even a year old. After that, it seemed her life was a non-stop string of advertisements and films, most of which were reasonably successful, while some became cult classics, like Pretty Baby, starring Susan Sarandon as the mother and Brooke as the precocious young prostitute. And who can forget the pubescent Brooke, reclining, back arched, her denim-clad legs out-stretched, one lifted provocatively above the other, her long hair flowing, her blue-blue eyes highlighted by those bushy, trademark eyebrows (that would have looked ridiculous on most people). It was this advertisement for Calvin Klein jeans and Brooke’s simple line—Nothing comes between me and my Calvin’s—that cemented Shield’s role as both sex symbol and perpetual virgin: it was a contradiction that few actresses have been able to pull off (though Natalie Portman comes to mind here as one who has proven herself more than capable in similar roles).
These days, Shields has turned her attention to writing. He new book, Down Came the Rain is the story of her pregnancy, childbirth, and the major complications and postpartum depression that would ensue, crushing all dreams of Shield’s ideal of fertility and motherhood. It was a role she took to naturally, envisioning herself quietly breast-feeding her new infant, her long-hair cascading about her shoulders and her baby’s head, their eyes interlocked with a love that had no barriers.
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Article comments
1 - DrPat
Wow. I freely admit I skipped over most of the "squeam-inducing" middle of this review, and was glad when I came to the insight (Readers would do well to remember that Shields is not, primarily, a writer...). PPD is no laughing matter, and I'm glad Shields does not treat it lightly.
I think for a woman who is (or has been) struggling with PPD, the "happily ever after" chronicle of Shields' joy in baby Rowan afterward will be encouraging. In that sense, perhaps its saccharine tang is the right flavor, after all.
2 - sadi
Hi Dr. Pat:
Yes, i think i'd agree. What Shields and many other women have gone through with PPD or are going through is so awful, and in this particular case, the physical details so unbelievably horrible, that even the what i called the more sacaccarine moments seem welcome and necessary and more, she is entitled as any new mother to fawn over her newborn. That she finally got there is a testament to her strong will and spirit and courage.
I find it immensely courageous of her to write this book which completely shatters the image of her as so perfect, revealing the most intimate details of herself physically and mentally is an act of extreme braveness on her part.
One can only applaud that - and more, i think many women will find this book a comfort, something to which they can not only relate, but find the practical help that they need.
Thanks for your comments: i know the review is long, but this was not an easy one to sum up in simple terms or in any brief way. I hope the true message of the book gets out there. I know Shields was on Oprah, so likely that will help.
It's about time hormonal issues in general were taken more seriously and medically, and while i think we are getting there, i would like to see more progress and sooner. Too many doctors over-look, for example, peri-menopause, and women suffer (as do their friends, spouse and families) unnecessarily... early treatment and prevention are the way to go, i think.... and estrogen therapy seems to be on the cutting edge of this (natural estrogens).
Check out Dr. Alan Altman's book, "Making Love the Way We Used To" - available on Amazon (i'll post link), which is all about hormonal fluctuations and every stage of menopause and how it effects relationships (emotionally, sexually) - also, he's an expert in the field and worth checking out.
Be well, and thanks for reading...
sadi
3 - DrPat
Well, I'm not that eager to read up on all the things that can go wrong with women's bodies - I'm hard-pressed just to keep up malfunctions on the other side of the divide...
4 - sadi
understandable, though i think her target audience is female anyway -- .
be well,
s
5 - Nicolette Rivers
Very interesting.
I think all women -- all people -- have moments when the fantasy of what we should be crashes head-on with reality.
6 - Bennett
No matter her media image, I was very impressed with her candor and poise in an interview with Terri Gross on NPR. Quite a classy lady. Worthy of admiration.
Fantastic review btw, thanks for the details.
Bennett
7 - sadi
yes, one's dreams often clash with reality, which is why, i think, it's important to always try to keep grounded; easier said than done though.
and yes, Bennett, Shields is very classy - i really admire her all the more after reading this account and what she went through and more, the fact that she is still planning on having another child after all of this.... simply amazing.
I'm pleased you enjoyed this piece as much as i did both reading the book and writing the review.
thanks all for your comments,
sadi
8 - richard williams
i appreciate how easy my wife made childbirth seem. after the first she asked in the recovery room when we could have another?! i would have killed the person who put me through it all.
it is hard to imagine how dangerous childbirth really is without all the medical technology, thanks for the complete review to remind us.
9 - dee
I have a friend who told me right after her first child was born, she nearly killed herself. It was all she could do to force herself to keep on living. Another told me she refused to even pick her baby up or name her. Her daughter named the baby for her and for the first few weeks after the baby was born, she just laid around and wished she were dead. There is something to this, folks and when you are manic depressive on top over everything else, your world really does crash. I am amazed at her frankness about it all.
10 - Lisamari Ueberroth
I could definitely identify with Brooke. I was so afraid to tell anyone how badly I felt for fear of being locked up- I have dealt with depression my whole life. I had haunting images and disturbing thoughts right after I had my baby. Sometimes the thoughts were crippling me. I did get help.
Praise for Brooke and Rowan.
11 - gfgfdf
yes, one's dreams often clash with reality, which is why, i think, it's important to always try to keep grounded; easier said than done though.
and yes, Bennett, Shields is very classy - i really admire her all the more after reading this account and what she went through and more, the fact that she is still planning on having another child after all of this.... simply amazing.
I'm pleased you enjoyed this piece as much as i did both reading the book and writing the review.
thanks all for your comments,