Film: My Week with Marilyn
Cast includes: Michelle Williams (Blue Valentine), Eddie Redmayne (The Pillars of the Earth), Julia Ormond (Sabrina), Kenneth Branagh (Valkyre), Toby Jones (The Mist), Dominic Cooper (An Education), Judi Dench (Notes on a Scandal), Derek Jacobi (Gladiator), Michael Kitchen (Foyle’s War), Zoë Wanamaker (Prime Suspect), Emma Watson (Harry Potter)
Director: Simon Curtis (Cranford BPS series)
Genre: Drama (2011) Based on The Prince, the Showgirl and Me, a memoir by Colin Clark
Young Colin is a disappointment to his family of high achievers. Thankfully, he could always find solace in the cinema. So in 1956 at age 23, when Colin wanted to break into the film industry, is father thought the experience might bring him to his senses… “It’s about time he got this silly idea out of his system.” Although Colin was promised a job at Laurence Olivier Productions, they didn’t actually have a job opening. So Colin simply came into the studio every day, out of sheer determination. Eventually Colin proves to be useful and resourceful… “Well done, Boy.” And finally the studio puts him on the payroll as “The Third” on their new film with Marilyn Monroe. What’s a Third? “It means doing what ever the hell I tell you to do.”
The film they’re making is The Prince and the Showgirl. “But it’ll never get made unless Marilyn Monroe gets her splendid derriére out of bed.” When Marilyn arrives in England, it’s a huge production… husband Arthur Miller, acting coach Paula Strasberg, numerous assistants and paparazzi everywhere. When Marilyn finally does get to the set, she is breathtaking… but “Cut…Cut…Cut”… she can’t remember her lines, take direction or get in character. Olivier is at his wits end. “You have to accept Marilyn on her terms and you’ll be OK.” If only it were that simple. The one person on the set who seems to admire Marilyn unconditionally is “the boy.” And when the atmosphere gets ugly, Marilyn increasingly turns to young Colin to help smooth things over.
Olivier appreciates Colin’s calming affect on the difficult star… “Be a good boy and keep an eye on her.” Others threaten to fire him if they see him talking with her. Still others warn him about coming under her spell… she makes everyone fall in love with her. “Be careful not to get in too deep, son.”
This is a delightful feel-good movie. If you’re looking for an honest film that doesn’t sugarcoat the events, My Week with Marilyn isn’t that movie. Marilyn not only cast a spell over the men in her life, she cast a spell over her fans, too. So it’s totally appropriate that a film about her should be like watching a fairytale. Marilyn fans will love this confection for many reasons. Michelle Williams is truly amazing as Marilyn, and Eddie Redmayne as Colin is so sweet, you’ll want to take him home. Rather than remembering Marilyn for her tragic ending, Marilyn fans want to spend time with the magical Marilyn… the one that made us love her. “First love is such sweet despair.”
4 popped kernels
Marilyn’s fans loved her, and this film will remind us of the fragile princess that captured our hearts
Popcorn Profile
Rated: R
Primary Audience: Grown-ups
Gender Appeal: Any audience
Distribution: Mainstream wide release
Mood: Upbeat
Tempo: Cruises comfortably
Visual Style: High-end production
Character Development: Engaging
Language: True to life
Social Significance: Pure entertainment
