My Week With Marilyn

My Week With Marilyn is one of those films that gets good reviews from the critics (and perhaps an award or two), a decent return at the box office and appreciative smiles from all those that watch it. If you’d watch it a second time though, I’ll eat one of Marilyn’s hats. The film is based on two books by Colin Clark, in which he recalls a week spent in the company of Marilyn Monroe on set in England in the mid-1950’s whilst she filmed The Prince and the Showgirl with Laurence Olivier. In the film the main roles are taken by Michelle Williams (Monroe), Kenneth Branagh (Olivier) and Eddie Redmayne (Clark) and they all act up a storm. Redmayne is fun as the chinless wonder who blags a position as Third Director (i.e. dogsbody) to Olivier and ends up falling for the hourglass shaped star (Monore, not Olivier!). Branagh appears to be having a blast as Olivier (well, you know why) though at times he hams it up a bit too much. He does give the film it’s main focus of comedy though as he becomes ever more exasperated at Monroe’s tardiness and forgetfulness. Best of all though is Williams. Despite the fact she bares little resemblance to MM facially, she has the voice and mannerisms down pat. So all well and good so far, but what’s Simon Curtis’ film actually in aid of? The shooting of the film part of the storyline is just the framework on which to hang the main focus of the film, that being Monroe herself and why everyone falls for her in same way. In fact, I don’t think there is a male character in the film doesn’t fall in love with her at some point. This is the main problem the film has though. Why do they all crumble at her feet? There’s no doubt she was a complex charter and Curtis doesn’t shy away from showing the darker side of her personality (frankly, she’s a bloody nightmare). Why all the adulation though? In reality I don’t think anyone really could understand her so Curtis is fighting a losing battle from the start. The story hints at the “two” Marilyn’s (i.e. Norma Jeane Baker and Monroe) but it’s not explored to any great detail. The film could have actually sunk if it was completely based on the study of Monroe, but Curtis is backed up by convincing sets and costumes, some comedy English swearing and Toby Jones excelling in a small role as a Monroe’s grumpy American publicist. Though a bizarre scene involving a chair and a Union Rep is so out of place you think it's been inserted guerilla style a-la Chris Morris.

The OC Film Sting Final Verdict
Like MM herself, looks great, but how much substance is there? Rating: 7/10.