Larry Birkhead Shares His Thoughts on the Upcoming Anna Nicole Smith Biopic
The Larry Birkhead Anna Nicole Smith Biopic controversy has been stirred up after Anna Nicole Smith’s ex-partner and daughter’s father has publicly voiced his concerns about the upcoming film Trust Me, I’m a Doctor. Birkhead has vehemently opposed the project and said he does not support a movie that exploits the lives of Anna Nicole Smith, him and their daughter Dannielynn as characters without their involvement. The upcoming biopic follows the story of Anna Nicole Smith’s former doctor Dr. Sandeep Kapoor and details the events surrounding the model and TV personality’s final years. The film is already getting attention because of its connection to Smith’s highly publicised life and her 2007 death.
What’s Larry Birkhead’s beef with Anna Nicole Smith biopic?
Larry Birkhead, the father of Anna Nicole Smith’s only child, reportedly thinks the film could have an effect on his daughter, Dannielynn Birkhead. His family was not involved in the production and he says they object to the way their personal experiences might be depicted on screen.
Birkhead’s concerns are not solely about the film itself, but also about the presentation of Anna Nicole Smith’s legacy. He has spent years protecting his daughter’s privacy, while sharing select memories of Smith’s life and personality. The row exemplifies a larger debate over celebrity biopics, especially when filmmakers are depicting real people who cannot approve or respond to the depiction.
What Is the New Movie About?
Trust Me, I’m a Doctor, the upcoming film based on Dr. Sandeep Kapoor’s memoir, is told largely from his perspective. The movie stars Abbie Cornish as Anna Nicole Smith and Kal Penn as Dr. Kapoor.
The project centres on Kapoor’s relationship with Smith and the events leading up to her death. Smith died in February 2007 of an accidental overdose of prescription drugs, and the legal cases against Kapoor and Smith’s psychiatrist were eventually dismissed. The movie has generated a public interest because Anna Nicole Smith is a well remembered figure in the entertainment world. She worked as a model, appeared on television and garnered years of media attention for her private life.
How Does Larry Birkhead Remember Anna Nicole Smith Now?
Larry Birkhead has previously described Anna Nicole Smith as a complicated person who was not what she appeared to be on the public stage. She said in previous interviews the audience was only getting one side of Smith, while those closest to her knew a different side of her life.
Birkhead and Smith had a daughter, Dannielynn, born in 2006. After Smith’s death in 2007, Birkhead has continued to talk about Smith’s memory and kept Dannielynn away from too much media attention and was left to raise their daughter. His latest comments indicate that the forthcoming Anna Nicole Smith biopic has re-opened the discussion about how Hollywood tells stories that involve real families, personal tragedy and celebrity.
What could be the outcome after Larry Birkhead’s reply?
Larry Birkhead’s criticism could create more public discussion of the film prior to its release. Filmmakers may be legally entitled to make movies about public events, but family members might challenge how those stories are told. The controversy might also affect the way the audience perceives the movie, especially since Anna Nicole Smith’s life had not only major career achievements but also very personal struggles. Larry Birkhead Anna Nicole Smith Biopic controversy is a reflection of how difficult it is to walk the line between entertainment and sensitivity to people who were very real people connected to the story.
Sources
- Page Six — Larry Birkhead’s objections to the biopic, Dannielynn worries, and comments about the film’s portrayal.
- Parade — Used for Birkhead’s statement that he and his family are objecting to the production and were not involved.
- News.com.au — For information on Trust Me, I’m a Doctor, cast, and the film’s connection to Dr Sandeep Kapoor.
- ABC News — Used for background on Larry Birkhead’s relationship with Anna Nicole Smith and his views on her private life.
