An Enjoyable "Week"

by Thomas Willett

1:00pm PST, November 30, 2011

During the early years of cinema, the idea of celebrity was an exclusive title given to performers who evoked mystique and grace in their every move. In the late 1950’s, Marilyn Monroe would join these ranks for her ability to present a seductive yet fun image for the press. She wasn’t the most charismatic performer, but her ability to gain attention has stood as her biggest attribute. Were they all good times, or was it just a ruse?

My Week with Marilyn attempts to dissect Monroe (played by Michelle Williams) as a complex woman with a lot of insecurities. The story focuses on Colin Clark (Eddie Redmayne), director’s assistant for Laurence Olivier (Kenneth Branagh), on his latest feature the Prince and the Showgirl. It is during his work that he meets Monroe, whom he immediately falls for and tries to impress despite numerous naysayers. Monroe proves to be a difficult actress to work with, but when the dailies come, Olivier provides only compliments.

The story enfolds into a tale of trust and love, and it soon finds Monroe and Clark dating and opening up to each other. It is here that the movie gains most of its strengths. Despite a good performance by Branagh, the “on-set” scenes are often the most lacking because of Monroe’s timid ways. It’s when the characters have time to explore outside the job that we obtain substantial character traits that help to move the story forward. Those scenes capture an innocent and free side to Marilyn that allows Michelle Williams to shine and show how complicated hers, and the rest of the characters are.

While it’s a standard story about finding love on a film set, the overall themes help to make this into an entertaining debut feature for Simon Curtis. By exploring the complexities of Monroe’s life, it also helps to explore the idea of celebrity in a time when there was still mystery. It dissects the myth of a fulfilling life and shows the scars that create the beauty. While a lot of it isn’t shocking, it’s brought to life by excellent performances by Williams, Redmayne, and Branagh, who each bring something substantial and unique to their characters. In a time when J. Edgar shows iconic figures in a dull, dragged out way (read my review here), it’s nice to see a snappy feature that explores its characters without boring the audience.

While My Week with Marilyn does little to break new ground in the general public’s opinions of Marilyn Monroe, it introduces her in a way that's sometimes melancholy but never depressing. One of writer’s Adrian Hodges’s best contributions is the ability to make her a sympathetic character without ruining the fun, nostalgic tone that the movie builds upon. It also presents the period in a very realistic way by not making the famous names seem too important. Everyone is a human and it’s the actors job to make you like them. For the most part, this movie succeeds.

It may not convert anyone into a born-again Marilyn lover, but it should help to raise speculation on the person behind the fame. By exploring these themes with a dynamic lead, the story manages to work despite being average. It succeeds in being one of the more entertaining biopics of the season, and with a stellar cast, it stands a good chance of recognition come awards season. The film may not be life changing, but the effort is a reminder that any story can be told convincingly with the right people.