Michelle Williams (in a Golden Globe winning performance) is Marilyn Monroe in this drama based on the memoirs of Colin Clark and his alleged affair with the film icon. Also stars Kenneth Branagh, Emma Watson and Judi Dench.
In England to film The Prince and the Showgirl (1956) with Sir Laurence Olivier (Branagh), the time away from Hollywood also doubles as Monroe’s honeymoon with her new husband, playwright great Arthur Miller (Dougray Scott). Working on the movie is Colin Clark (Eddie Redmayne), a lowly 23-year-old assistant to whom Monroe takes a shine.
Based on Clark’s two books (a set of diaries and a memoir) written many years later, My Week with Marilyn focuses on an idyllic week when Clark showed Monroe – desperate to get away from the pressures of stardom – the pleasures of the English countryside.
I’ll admit to a having a flicker of doubt about what a Monroe film starring a serious actress would turn out like (potentially excruciatingly overwrought, emotionally). A great performance from Michelle Williams was never in doubt, though, and by narrowing the focus on Monroe to the glimpse seen by naïve film newbie Colin Clark on the set of The Prince and the Showgirl, this adaptation of his diaries allows us to be briefly drawn into Monroe’s orbit and hurled out of it again.
By avoiding following a typical biopic formula, My Week with Marilyn ends up with a great excuse to put this icon back on the big screen where she belongs, and Williams makes the most of her opportunity to play this so much larger than life personality.
With the exception of the suitably wide-eyed Eddie Redmayne as Clark though, Williams is somewhat let down by the film around her. As the most captivating aspect of the picture, it’s no surprise she stands out amongst its other creative elements but sadly the film’s overall tone is as much TV movie as true cinematic experience, lacking the directorial vision or sense of style to elevate this beyond being a sweet piece of lightweight entertainment. In the end, the film doesn’t make as much of its time on the big screen as its subject did but is worth a watch just for Williams and the charming tale it tells.
By Steve Newall, Flicks.co.nz
Thoroughly enjoyed this movie. I knew nothing of this fragile, insecure side of Marilyn Monroe so well portrayed, I had always thought of her a more manipulative and pretty stupid to be quite honest. The movie must have done it's job well however, as it made me want to get some old movies out and have a good look at the real Marilyn Monroe in action.
I'll admit it - I didn't really know much about Marilyn Monroe before I saw this film. I naively supposed that this film would be somehow, even if just at the end, about her death. But gosh, I was so pleased to see that it wasn't about that at all - but rather, a mere week spent with the loveable main character Colin. I enjoyed the cameo roles from Judi Dench and Emma Watson, but as I'm sure everyone knows, the true star was Michelle Williams. She was just spectacular!! The fragile side of Marilyn in particular was so convincing, and left me thinking about it long after the film had ended. Actually, the whole film left me thinking and reflecting, which is exactly how I like a film to leave me :)
Just three of us saw My Week with Marilyn and we are unanimous in our praise for this movie. Based on a true story, this is a snapshot of one week in the remarkable life of Marilyn Monroe, during her time in England for the filming of The Prince and the Pauper. It is a sentimental journey for those of an age who grew up with the Marilyn Monroe phenomenon, boosted by some great musical choices. This is wonderful movie entertainment and an insightful portrayal of 'the most famous woman in the world' of the day and of the fractious relationship between 'one of the world's greatest theatre actors (Sir Lawrence Olivier) trying to be a movie star and a world famous movie star trying to become and actress.' The outstanding performance of Michelle Williams as Marilyn holds the movie together and despite annoying hints of tedium from time to time, the sheer entertainment value warrants our unanimous vote of 4½ stars out of five.
It showed how fragile Marilyn was but how how outstanding she could be. A lovely bit of someones life that made them remember it forever and show us how it happened
This is a sweet little film made in a very English way about the most famous woman in the world. Williams is a charmer and helps us suspend disbelief just enough to see her as Marilyn. Kenneth Brannagh is a terrifically camp Olivier and Eddie Redmayne pretty much plays his pretty self. I still found myself wanting to give Marilyn a shake for feeling sorry for herself while she held the whole world in the palm of her hand. My only disclaimer is that I saw this on a plane. Perhaps it may have been too slight for the big screen but very watchable in miniature.
Williams’ performance transcends the predictable film.
What matters is the performance by Michelle Williams. She evokes so many Marilyns, public and private, real and make-believe.We didn't know Monroe, but we believe she must have been something like this.
A sweet, slight affair, more pretty pageant than pithy biographical drama.
Williams gets us on intimate terms with one of Hollywood's most enduring and tragic icons.
A slyly comic meditation on stardom.
