Review of My Week with Marilyn (2011) by Haven W — 13 Apr 2018

Michelle Williams shines as Marilyn Monroe!

Simon Curtis directs his magnum opus with his 2011 movie My Week with Marilyn. Curtis captures the most beautiful lighting in his excellent cinematic shots. Curtis' cinematography is compelling all the way into this sweet drama. Lovely scenes set up with care give way to powerful performances in this emotional biopic of an older Marilyn Monroe.

Michelle Williams is the real star of My Week with Marilyn. Williams portrays Marilyn Monroe with a seductive charm as well as a curious sadness. Williams perfectly expresses the emotional insecurity that Monroe suffered from with a respectful take on her drug addiction. Monroe's mood swings and depression couple together nicely with her joyless marriage. Williams plays Monroe's flirtatious movie star with a delicate innocence and a playful wonder. She always has this sweetness as Marilyn that draws you in deeper. She really is the spitting image of Marilyn Monroe and nails her dainty whisper voice that Monroe always sported. Michelle Williams gets you to fall in love with Marilyn Monroe, while simultaneously empathizing with her unhappiness. Michelle Williams is a delight!

Kenneth Branagh is superb as Sir Laurence Olivier. He gets Olivier's fervor for plays and serious acting as well as his frustration with Marilyn's inability to act. Branagh is so believable as the dramatic lead actor that just wants to make great films. You see how uncomfortable Marilyn makes him. Branagh is also very funny as the disgruntled legendary actor that must cope deal with the perpetually late, drugged up, incompetent, and inconsistent actress that was Marilyn Monroe. Kenneth Branagh has many moments of clarity that break through to you wherein you see his passion for acting and film making. It's an incredible supporting role from Branagh.

Finally, Eddie Redmayne is the new guy in Hollywood that is equally dazzled by the glamour of movie making and the charms of Marilyn Monroe. He matches his character arc with an eagerness to help make movie magic, then he must experience heartbreak to mature. It's a nice character portrait of a young man of the times. I liked Redmayne in My Week with Marilyn quite a bit.

Watch My Week with Marilyn for a heartbreaking look behind the screen Marilyn, behind the scenes of movie production, and a great many laughs at the ridiculousness of it all. Michelle Williams solidifies her place in movie history with her beautifully subtle depiction of Marilyn Monroe's emotional pain. My Week with Marilyn is one of the most nuanced films about a hurt Hollywood legend.