MY WEEK WITH MARILYN (2011)

Directed By: Simon Curtis 
Written By: Adrian Hodges 
Based On The Books “My Week With Marilyn” and “The Prince, The Showgirl And Me” 
By Colin Clark 
Cinematography By: Ben Smithard 
Editor: Adam Recht 

Cast: Michelle Williams, Kenneth Branagh, Julia Ormand, Judi Dench, Eddie Redmayne, Toby Jones, Emma Watson, Dominic Cooper, Derek Jacobi

Sir Laurence Olivier is making a movie in London. Young Colin Clark, an eager film student, wants to be involved and he navigates himself a job on the set. When film star Marilyn Monroe arrives for the start of shooting, all of London is excited to see the blonde bombshell, while Olivier is struggling to meet her many demands and acting ineptness, and Colin is intrigued by her. Colin's intrigue is met when Marilyn invites him into her inner world where she struggles with her fame, her beauty and her desire to be a great actress. This film feels like a throwback to simpler times. Everything looks polished, rich and luxurious. The face of the film feels timely.

Though not grand it makes film making look bare bones even in the classic era. Though you realize how grand it was. Also how much work went into it.

The film they are in production on THE PRINCE AND THE SHOWGIRL is seen as a classic. The way it is palmed here though makes it seem dreadful to me.

The reenactments of scenes from THE PRINCE AND THE SHOWGIRL were filmed on the very same soundstage that the original was filmed on.

Michelle Williams performance is lovely as Marilyn Monroe. She is strong and really seems to inhabit both the known bombshell and the weak emotional wreck, Who seemed to be unable to be charming and SEDUCTIVE no matter what. Williams is the only real reason to watch the film.

While she might not be exactly dead on in her Marilyn performance at all times. She gives you a version of Marilyn that is sexy yet troubled. Being pulled in many ways and surrounded by people using her and her using them as a crutch.

You can see the talent she has buried underneath her troubles. Making it send like she was too fragile to truly survive. It's a heart breaking performance in a upbeat joyful film. Now while the performance is deep. It doesn't look over the film or make it feel hard hitting like a gossipy expose.

Scarlett Johanssen, Kate Hudson, Elane Hendrix, and Amy Adams were all considered for the role of Marilyn Monroe.

The film feels nuanced and is entertaining enough both Kenneth Branagh and Judi Dench go through the motions. Like the professionals they are.

The film isn't really a making of, bio-film or a even a romance. It is just a glimpse I a world known celebrity at a certain Time in their life a done man's particular relationship with her for the short time that they worked together. No great insight just what he saw, knew and was too also what she shared. Also what she meant to him at the time.

The film is really simple. No harm, no foul.

The notebook that Arthur Miller wrote and that Marilyn was seen crying over is most likely his initial draft of his play "After the Fall", which features a character that was a parody of Monroe. The play remains one of Miller's most unpopular works.

As an audience member. You won't gain any real Insight. Just some behind the scenes information of what was going on at the time.

The film is ok. Very spirited but without any real passion. It's more like a warm memory bathed in a glow. Films such as these pop-up and have prestige due to their casts. Here the big draw is Acclaimed actress Michelle Williams and Kenneth Branagh.

Michelle Williams doesn't do much resemble Marilyn Monroe the screen icon as much as inhabit her emotionally or at least the problems she seemed to have, but can easily also inhabit the public sexpot side of her. It is a performance that is more of a respectful tribute.

The film is also misleading to the audience who think that this type of film will offer insight or be some kind of bio-film about the celebrity subject of it's title, but if they pay attention to the title they will realize this is a film where the celebrity more plays into the civilians life story. They are more of a supporting character of the tale about to be told. That revolves around there time spent together and he lessons it might have taught the person and how it affected them. While giving insight into the stars/celebrities around that time.

According to director Simon Curtis, Judi Dench was unavailable for the principal photography period, and her role had to filmed about two weeks before the rest of the production. Throughout the film, Dench and Michelle Williams are never seen in the same shot, including one in which Dench shakes hands with (seemingly) Williams's arm being extended from off-screen. Adam Recht 's deft editing gives the illusion that Williams and Dench are being filmed at the same time.

The film whole certainly dramatic and penetrating, just doesn't feel memorable as it should be. Like the Michelle Williams was nominated for a Best Actress Academy Award (Oscar) for her starring role playing Marilyn Monroe in this picture. In her career though, Monroe was never Oscar nominated.

The film whole certainly dramatic and penetrating, just doesn't feel memorable as it should be. Like character it is noteworthy, dramatic, but not necessarily memorable.


Grade: B-