My Week with Marilyn

Reviewed by Danny the Demented
Updated 19 March 2012

I guess the rumor is true: everything sounds better with a British accent. Oh good writing and fine acting also help, obviously. Yes I fight crime with my power to be obvious, fear me and don’t pee your pants now. 

"My Week with Marilyn" is the biographical story of the world famous Marilyn Monroe (still one of the most celebrated actresses of not just our time, but anytime) and the time she spent making the film "The Prince and the Showgirl" in England. A renowned star, Marilyn (Michelle Williams) goes abroad to work with Sir Laurence Olivier (Kenneth Branagh) on his invite. While there, she meets the protagonist, the eager-to-make-his-dream-of-being-in-the-movie-business-come-true Collin Clark (Eddie Redmayne). The two soon developed a friendly/romantic rapport and just as quickly, Collin found out that Marilyn is as vulnerable as she is famous. Despite her obvious allure on screen, she is incredibly self-conscious and the pressure of working in a foreign country with trained professionals is overbearing. As Marilyn’s emotional anchor, Collin learns about trust, love, and the relentless sorrow that is heartbreak from the eternal film icon. As Sybil Thorndike (Judi Dench) said in the film 『First love is such sweet despair』. Truer words have never been spoken.  
    

A finely crafted film armed with solid acting and graceful dialogues. Add that irresistible British accent charm to the mix, what’s not to like? The story is told with a timely pace and though a tiny bit rushed, the presentation as a whole is with little faults. Michelle Williams has been a rock since the first time I saw her in Dawson’s Creek (aka “Pretty White Kids with Problems”, gosh I miss Mad TV) and she remains solid with her much praised portrayal of the immortal Marilyn Monroe. Eddie Redmayne is a respectable lead and does some truly commendable work as the naïve Collin. But to me the star of this film is Kenneth Branagh. A supporting role yes, but every time he is on screen you are intrigued, and every time he is off screen you are disappointed as you crave for more. The elegantly written dialogues certainly helped but Branagh delivered his lines with such sincere emotion that upon hearing it, you know instantly you are in the presence of fine acting. And fine acting is always good company to be in.

Money well spent at the theater, “My Week with Marilyn” is a fine piece of filmmaking and I suspect if it is turned into a series (HBO, you reading me????), it will be just as, if not more, impressive. Also, I want a British accent for Christmas. My name is Danny and I endorse this message.