Martha Stewart Criticizes Her Netflix Documentary on Premiere Day: ‘Disappointing’

Martha Stewart, the renowned lifestyle guru at 83, has expressed her dissatisfaction with her new Netflix documentary titled "Martha." Stewart criticized the filmmaker, R.J. Cutler, for the final product, stating her disappointment in the limited use of her archive despite granting him complete access.

In an interview with The New York Times, Stewart voiced her disapproval of certain scenes in the documentary, particularly ones depicting her as a "lonely old lady walking hunched over in the garden," which she had requested to be removed but Cutler insisted on keeping. She emphasized her disdain for these scenes and expressed her frustration over their inclusion.

The documentary, which was released recently, delves into various aspects of Stewart’s life, including her experience at the 2004 Alderson Federal Prison Camp. Stewart felt that the focus on her prison stint in the movie’s second half overshadowed other significant aspects of her life, referring to the incarceration as a brief period in her 83-year existence, almost akin to a vacation.

Stewart also criticized the documentary’s soundtrack, objecting to the use of a classical score that she felt did not align with her persona. She mentioned her request for rap music to be included, which she believed was essential to the film but was disregarded by the filmmaker.

Despite her criticisms, Stewart did acknowledge the positive aspects of the documentary, particularly praising the first half for shedding light on lesser-known facets of her life. She expressed her desire for the documentary to focus on showcasing resilience and authenticity rather than boasting about inner strength.

In response to Stewart’s critique, Cutler defended the film, stating that it is a cinematic portrayal rather than a factual account. He commended Stewart for her courage in entrusting him with the project and highlighted her complexity, vision, and brilliance as a subject.

"Martha" is now available for streaming on Netflix, offering viewers a glimpse into the multifaceted life of the iconic Martha Stewart.