Review: My Week with Marilyn
So, I just met Marilyn Monroe. She was giggles and laughter and light. And she was tears and insecurity and emptiness. She was the first real celebrity Hollywood icon. And it almost destroyed her.
Of course, I didn’t meet the real Marilyn. But I was introduced to Michelle Williams’ stirring portrayal of her in director Simon Curtis’ feature film debut, My Week with Marilyn, one of my absolute favorite movies of the year. The movie is more of a case-study-like glimpse into a moment in time rather than a life-to-death biopic, detailing the shooting of a film in the 50s called The Prince and the Showgirl, during which Marilyn’s unpredictable behavior continuously frustrated her co-stars and cast. Feeling alienated by the production team and those closest to her alike, Marilyn turns to young assistant director Colin Clark for companionship and support. For about a week.
This film is filled with fantastic performances, so let’s start with the obvious: Marilyn Monroe. Michelle Williams is fantastic. Not only does she authentically look the part (perhaps a bit smaller than the real Marilyn), and not only does she perfectly capture Marilyn’s nuances and mannerisms, but throughout the film Williams pulls us deeper and deeper into what turns out to be an immensely well-crafted and complex character. In Williams’ eyes we can see all the hope and despair between which Marilyn thrust herself back and forth. Depicted as having a bit of a pill-popping problem, this Marilyn is searching, struggling to find some sense of stability and security in who she is. She realizes that her popularity has made the persona of “Marilyn” bigger than the person Marilyn truly is, and fears that the public will one day find out. But although she fears the opinion of the masses, she utterly desires their adoration. Her fame may constrict and terrify her, but it also brings her joy and, in a sense, freedom. Perhaps more than any celebrity since, Marilyn felt the captivity of celebrity. And Williams captures Marilyn’s soul-searching, heart-wrenching journey perfectly. Just watch the eyes.
Colin Clark, played by Eddie Redmayne, is swept up in the charisma and impulsivity of Marilyn. He recognizes that he is just a 23-year-old kid, but he can’t help but dream along with every other man in the world at the time that one day he could be Marilyn’s one-and-only (aside from all those other guys she married and such). And wouldn’t you know it, Colin’s dreams come true! Colin begins to grow close to Marilyn during the movie shoot, alienating the pretty girl from the costume department played by Emma Watson, and finally falls deeply in love with the star during a week spent with Marilyn at a getaway cottage while production was on hiatus and Marilyn’s then-husband, writer Arthur Miller, was out of town.
From the start, Colin knows he’s in over his head, but the lesson he learns throughout the film is not that he doesn’t seem to fit the circumstance of accompanying such a popular icon, but that he doesn’t truly fit in a relationship with Marilyn; at least, not in the way he wants. Colin imagines he can be the type of man Marilyn was always attracted to; men of strong character and intellect, mentors and father-figures who she hoped would solve all her problems. But Marilyn saw Colin as less of a protector and more of a comforter; someone who would really listen to her and to whom she could bear her soul. I believe that in Colin, Marilyn was actually searching for one true friend. But that’s not what Colin wanted and the rejection he finally realizes breaks his heart.
Kenneth Branagh is Sir Lawrence Olivier, British acting royalty at the time, who directed the The Prince and the Showgirl and also starred in it opposite Marilyn. Olivier is consistently driven to rage during production due to his misunderstanding and, in fact, loathing of Marilyn’s style of method acting. This is all very frustrating for him as he had hoped Marilyn’s involvement would help him feel young again, but in reality she outshines him in the final cut of every scene. Perhaps Olivier and Marilyn were doomed to never get along because, as Colin suggests, an actor trying to be a star and a star trying to be an actor will simply prevent each other from achieving their goals. Branagh gives life to a character stuck between almost hating Marilyn for shattering his artistic sensibilities and being in awe of the ease with which she lights up the screen.
A few more notes, Dame Judi Dench is outstanding as always, although it seems her character was a bit forgotten towards the end. Dominic Cooper gave a fantastically subtle performance as one of Marilyn’s posse who had a similar fling with Marilyn. He is jealous as he clearly hasn’t gotten over it, but also frustrated because Colin refuses to heed his words of warning. It took the film a while to really start to dig into Colin and Marilyn’s relationship and Marilyn’s inner turmoil, but I liked the slow buildup. Williams will certainly get a nomination for “Best Actress” at the Academy Awards, and I won’t be surprised if the Oscar becomes hers. What really made her performance stand out and My Week with Marilyn such a success was that it realized what Clint Eastwood’s recent J. Edgar failed to, that interpreting such a prolific, historical character, rather than simply replicating them, makes for a much more engaging film.
Finally, being forced between a duality of tensions seems to be the theme of this film. Marilyn loves and hates her fame. Colin knows his relationship with Marilyn will never last, but loves her anyways. Olivier can’t stand Marilyn’s methods, but can’t stop appreciating her talents. Ultimately the film is more than a romance. It is about recognizing where your impossible, inescapable battle is, and finding the strength to face it. For Colin, it was desperately negotiating love during his week with Marilyn. As Judi Dench’s character says, “First love is such sweet despair.”
The Final Word: Go buy a ticket!!!
Colin Clark, played by Eddie Redmayne, is swept up in the charisma and impulsivity of Marilyn. He recognizes that he is just a 23-year-old kid, but he can’t help but dream along with every other man in the world at the time that one day he could be Marilyn’s one-and-only (aside from all those other guys she married and such). And wouldn’t you know it, Colin’s dreams come true! Colin begins to grow close to Marilyn during the movie shoot, alienating the pretty girl from the costume department played by Emma Watson, and finally falls deeply in love with the star during a week spent with Marilyn at a getaway cottage while production was on hiatus and Marilyn’s then-husband, writer Arthur Miller, was out of town.
From the start, Colin knows he’s in over his head, but the lesson he learns throughout the film is not that he doesn’t seem to fit the circumstance of accompanying such a popular icon, but that he doesn’t truly fit in a relationship with Marilyn; at least, not in the way he wants. Colin imagines he can be the type of man Marilyn was always attracted to; men of strong character and intellect, mentors and father-figures who she hoped would solve all her problems. But Marilyn saw Colin as less of a protector and more of a comforter; someone who would really listen to her and to whom she could bear her soul. I believe that in Colin, Marilyn was actually searching for one true friend. But that’s not what Colin wanted and the rejection he finally realizes breaks his heart.
Kenneth Branagh is Sir Lawrence Olivier, British acting royalty at the time, who directed the The Prince and the Showgirl and also starred in it opposite Marilyn. Olivier is consistently driven to rage during production due to his misunderstanding and, in fact, loathing of Marilyn’s style of method acting. This is all very frustrating for him as he had hoped Marilyn’s involvement would help him feel young again, but in reality she outshines him in the final cut of every scene. Perhaps Olivier and Marilyn were doomed to never get along because, as Colin suggests, an actor trying to be a star and a star trying to be an actor will simply prevent each other from achieving their goals. Branagh gives life to a character stuck between almost hating Marilyn for shattering his artistic sensibilities and being in awe of the ease with which she lights up the screen.
A few more notes, Dame Judi Dench is outstanding as always, although it seems her character was a bit forgotten towards the end. Dominic Cooper gave a fantastically subtle performance as one of Marilyn’s posse who had a similar fling with Marilyn. He is jealous as he clearly hasn’t gotten over it, but also frustrated because Colin refuses to heed his words of warning. It took the film a while to really start to dig into Colin and Marilyn’s relationship and Marilyn’s inner turmoil, but I liked the slow buildup. Williams will certainly get a nomination for “Best Actress” at the Academy Awards, and I won’t be surprised if the Oscar becomes hers. What really made her performance stand out and My Week with Marilyn such a success was that it realized what Clint Eastwood’s recent J. Edgar failed to, that interpreting such a prolific, historical character, rather than simply replicating them, makes for a much more engaging film.
Finally, being forced between a duality of tensions seems to be the theme of this film. Marilyn loves and hates her fame. Colin knows his relationship with Marilyn will never last, but loves her anyways. Olivier can’t stand Marilyn’s methods, but can’t stop appreciating her talents. Ultimately the film is more than a romance. It is about recognizing where your impossible, inescapable battle is, and finding the strength to face it. For Colin, it was desperately negotiating love during his week with Marilyn. As Judi Dench’s character says, “First love is such sweet despair.”
The Final Word: Go buy a ticket!!!
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