Pamela, A Love Story is a curious Netflix documentary for me to watch. Even though I was a living adult when Baywatch was huge, I’ve only seen half an episode and I think that was Baywatch Nights. I never found Pamela Anderson’s image sexy… it’s just too plastic and pinup to me… though I’m sure she’s a lovely person (as this documentary works hard to assure us). I saw her film Barb Wire… it did not impress. Whether or not I saw the sex tape, I’ll leave that on the table and walk away whistling.

So maybe a documentary about her life and career wasn’t meant for me. But I kind of disagree since it certainly gave me insight into someone I only really know from the headlines and the ghoulish paparazzi. Since she’s actively participating in it though, I’m sure we’re only seeing the version of her life pre-approved and sanitized.

In fact, so much of this doc is on her side it started to feel like an advertisement for her later-in-life fan club… or to get another Broadway play like they showcases extensively in the final half hour (she was Roxy in a Chicago revival… who knew?).

So fine… it’s on her side. It’s championing her. And she comes across well. The doc does give us a lot of her nude pics from Playboy which feels creepy but they counter that with only a few moments of clothed imagery from the infamous sex tape. Clearly Anderson is ok with what she approved of, not ok with what was stolen from her. Fair enough.

I’d like to have seen some interviews with her many husbands but since those marriages all seemed to have ended badly, I get why the men stayed away. They wound up using some archival interviews of Tommy Lee though which was at least something.

Overall, it’s a pretty good documentary about someone I don’t have much of an opinion on… but for whom I wish the best after seeing this flick. I learned a lot about her that I didn’t know before. Documentary mission accomplished.

Score: 78