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Film Review of My Week with Marilyn: The Experiences of a Beautiful World-famous Actress with a British Film Crew and an Impressionable Young Englishman
It can be daunting to share an intense week of filming with the Twentieth Century’s most beautiful and famous actress. Or not. It instead may be the experience of a lifetime, to be memorialized in two books and in the movie “My Week with Marilyn”.
theatrical release poster (Fair Use, via Wikimedia Commons)
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My Week with Marilyn is a drama film which revisits the meeting of American actress Marilyn Monroe (1926-1962) and British actor Sir Laurence Olivier (1907-1989)
Marilyn Monroe continues to fascinate twenty-first century movie-goers worldwide. Her appeal derives from innate skill, personal warmth, and photogenic physique, in My Week with Marilyn, written by Adrian Hodges; produced by David Parfitt and Harvey Weinstein; and directed by Simon Curtis. Cinematography, editing, and music were respectively by Ben Smithard; Adam Recht; and Alexandre Desplat and Conrad Pope.
The film is based upon My Week with Marilyn and The Prince, The Showgirl, and Me by Colin Clark (1932-2002). It lasts 100+ minutes. It was distributed by Entertainment Film Distributors and The Weinstein Company. It was released in the United States of America on October 9, 2011 and in the United Kingdom on November 25, 2011.
The movie begins with Colin Clark (played by Eddie Redmayne) graduating from Oxford University. He needs to be his own person in an accomplished, wealthy family. He opts for an upcoming film directed by Laurence Olivier (played by Kenneth Brannagh).
The production ultimately becomes “The Prince and the Showgirl”. Marilyn Monroe (played by Michelle Williams) flies in to play the female lead interpreted by Laurence’s wife, Vivien Leigh (played by Julia Ormond), on stage. Marilyn is accompanied by playwright-husband Arthur Miller (played by Dougray Scott).
Colin endears himself by finding Parkside House for Marilyn. Shortly after arrival, Arthur flies to New York City to be with his children from a previous marriage. Acting coach Paula Strasberg (played by Zoë Wanamaker), bodyguard Roger Smith (played by Philip Jackson), and business partner Milton H. Greene (played by Dominic Cooper) remain with Marilyn.
Colin develops a rapport with Marilyn. Their interaction ends a budding relationship with wardrobe assistant Lucy (played by Emma Watson). But Colin is disarmed by Marilyn’s beauty and vulnerability.
The cast and crew appear to be impressed with Marilyn’s dancing and on-screen charisma. But they criticize her not being timely or knowing lines. Colin defends Marilyn for missing her husband and wanting children.
Colin escapes twice with Marilyn. They play tourists at Windsor Castle with Owen Morshead (played by Derek Jacobi), the River Thames, and Eton College. They spend time together at Parkside.
The movie ends with Colin and Marilyn kissing each other goodbye.
My Week with Marilyn is an endearing drama which is sensitive to the personal and professional stresses upon Marilyn. Michelle is particularly authentic and impressive in the song-and-dance routines.
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Copyright: Tuesday, July 3, 2012 by Derdriu.
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Derdriu, Excellent review of this interesting movie. Michelle Williams turns in a persuasive portrayal which honors Marilyn.
Appreciatively, Stessily
Stessily, Michelle is particularly effective in the dancing and posing scenes! It’s a must-see film.
Respectfully, Derdriu