My Week With Marilyn

There have been many reiterations of Marilyn Monroe throughout the years, but the iconoclast simply can't be replicated very easily, despite what Hugh Hefner thinks. Michelle Williams is simply mesmerizing as the buxom beauty, and embodies the darker, more fragile side of the woman who captured so many hearts. For the most famous star in the world, she manages to make you actually feel sorry for her by the end of the film.

My Week With Marilyn chronicles the filming of the movie The Prince and the Showgirl, which conveniently led to both Monroe's, and Sir Laurence Olivier's most critically acclaimed work over the subsequent years. The narration is through the eyes of young starstruck Colin Clark, who served as the third assistant director, and wrote the documentary titled The Prince, the Showgirl and Me in 2004.

Without Williams, this film would be nothing more than a British feel-good biopic, but with her, it is magical. The look, the voice, and the mannerisms do more than just show the star working on her craft and yearning for love; she transforms herself into the captivating enigma, and illuminates the screen in verisimilitude.

The rest of the cast blends into the background with the exception of Kenneth Branagh, who plays Olivier, and Dame Judi Dench, who plays Sybil Thorndike, a veteran, yet kind and understanding support for Monroe on set.

The film spans the filming of the Prince and the Showgirl, and at first take, we are taken aback by the behavior of Marilyn; forgetting her lines, showing up late, and basically being a living, breathing nightmare for Olivier in his quest to become a highly regarded film director.

As it progresses however, we see another side of Monroe. One that is quite tender and evokes empathy. She was not a happy and healthy woman. She was the epitome of what every man wanted, and she lived that burden as long as she possibly could, but all she ever really wanted was to genuinely be loved, and it was impossible for her to find that.

Williams will add a third Oscar nomination to her credit for her portrayal. It is absolutely brilliant. She stands a very good chance of winning at this point as well, but you always have to look out for Meryl Streep (the Iron Lady). This film was a great choice for her, and is in line with edgy, difficult roles, for which she is becoming accustomed. It has taken me some time, but I'm on the Michelle Williams bandwagon, and feel she's one of the best actresses out there. Her work last year in Blue Valentine was painfully authentic. I look forward to her future work very much.

Despite the conveyance of such strong emotional turmoil, mostly below the surface, this is a pretty upbeat film with much simplicity. I enjoyed it quite a bit, but don't see much in terms of Oscar buzz except for Williams and perhaps a bone to Branagh if the competition doesn't edge him out. If you're a fan of Hollywood history and sex symbols, this is a must see. 8/10.