Review of My Week with Marilyn (2011) by Thomas C — 28 May 2013

Throughout filmic history, very few people reach the heights of becoming true icons of the screen. However, a few have reached this lofty position; gaining elite status amongst audience world wide, as well industry heads. One such icon - that can be assured of gaining such credentials - is the extremely talented Norma Jeane, better known to audiences as Marilyn Monroe. An actress that at the height of her career was easily the most famous woman in the world, Marilyn was just as known for the multiple relationships she had partaken in, with three marriages before her 30th Birthday, and countless other relationships besides. Reaching explicit fame levels throughout her acting career, as well as choosing smart film choices - until her untimely death at age 36 - Marilyn was an actress of true screen status.

One such account of this type of relationship was published into two collections of memoirs, outlining an intimate look into the film stars personal life - written by Colin Clark (a low placed filmmaker) these published books are titled 'The Prince, the Showgirl and Me' and 'My Week with Marilyn'. These memoirs gave fans of the actress an personal in side look into her life that few people were aware off. Serving as the basis to this film, also titled 'My Week with Marilyn' , the subject matter gives over an incredibly personal, and honest, look into the life, encounters and issues of this most famous of people during a troubled shoot of one of her film productions. With a well balanced script, excellent cast of British thesps - as well as an above excellent performance by Michelle William's (Portraying Marilyn) - as well a stylethat brings the truth to the forefront, this English produced docudrama showcases these written accounts, in such a way that the film is easy to understand, and equally enlightening to watch.

Following his graduation from a top United Kingdom university, aspiring filmmaker Colin Clark (Eddie Redmayne - annoying in places but average throughout) decides to not take up his fathers plan for his career - instead trying his hand at working on one of the movies that have so readily taking in to his personal aspirations. Traveling to London to get a job on Laurence Olivier's (Kenneth Branagh - excellent portrayal of a acting legend in his own right) next production, Colin is cast as third assistant director- after showing commitment to his dream, being first turned down by the recruitment leader. With the upcoming film, titled 'The Prince and the Showgirl', starring Hollywoods most prized actress Marilyn (expertly accounted on screen by a method acting manner on Michelle Williams performance, even taking in her walk, stature and speech), Colin is giving tasks in finding suitable accommodation - as well as appropriate other things - for the productions biggest guest.

Meeting Marilyn's entourage; publicist Arthur Jacobs, Business partner Milton Green and Acting coach Paula, Colin is overwhelmed by the level of support that the young actress is able to garner and fan following she has. However, with Marilyn resulting to drugs to hide away the dark side of her lives issues, and the struggles she has in finding her character on screen, the production becomes troubled - much to the annoyance of Laurence Olivier. Tasked with helping the production crew in understanding the issues becoming a common feature in the actresses work, Colin begins a friendship with the screen legend during the period of time that her husband has left the country. Understanding her motives, and reasons behind the factors resulting in her poor performances, Colin begins to develop truer feelings for this most special of women - much against the advice of those closest to her. Focusing on the period after their initial friendship blossoms, the film accounts the week that the two spend together, and the effect that his relationship it has on both parties lives.

In a similar manner to other British produced bio-dramas,such as 'The Kings Speech' and 'The Queen', 'My week with Marilyn' is paced in such a way that fact is easily read from the sequences that are shown. However, unlike these other films, an issue arises within this production, with the urgency and heated drama lost in favor of a more balanced, and mellow method of relaying the narrative to its audience. This is down to the screenplay yes, but also to the way in which supporting actors perform their roles. Taking a middle ground between high-end fact based drama, and romantic love story, the film never really justifies either to the level that similar films have obtained in the past. A film that is easy to watch, just slightly slower in places and dull in others.

With all actors performing admirably, it is a shame to find the lead actor portrayed, in such a way, that annoyance is the only emotion garnered from witnessing his performance. This is not to say that Redmayne's performance is poor, more that when compared to the screen legends that are also included within this film, he never manages to reach the same height of performance that they have all easily achieve. This could be down somewhat to his inexperience as an actor, although Emma Watson is able to convey a much more established performance in only a handful of scenes, eclipsing Redmayne in almost every one , but also to the fact that his character is just unlikable in everything he does - coming across chauvinistic and immature, whilst hurting those who entrust him in multiple ways. A character that is never easy to become engrossed within, the film is never able to depict the heated relationship that the two character become entwined in to the level that would be required in achieving a strikingly enthralling take on the much focused - in the film - true life account of both people.

'My Week with Marilyn' is a intimate and enlightening film to bare witness too. Outlining a personal life story of one person, who most will never completely understand, the film highlights a segment of her life - thus giving over some sort of better understanding to an element of film that most people would be unaware off. With excellent production standards, especially the costume and set design (Really to the highest of the industries similar production), the film is easily able to bring audiences back in time, and into the world depicted onscreen. Michelle Williams is entirely the basis of why this film works, with her performance giving a level of commitment to the role, that really outlines her willingness to do it too a full justice. It is with the other lead performance that the film falls short, detracting on the believable and interesting relationship, meaning the film is instead forced to focus on the facts surrounding her troubled life. With the strange decision to utilise two opening narrative segments, with one only really being needed, the film never really decides whether to opt as an all out fact based drama, or showcase the life and emotions of the young filmmaker it so openly follows. B.