My Week With Marilyn

Set in 1956, this biopic is based on the memoir The Prince, the Showgirl and Me by Colin Clark who is a central character in the film. It regards his involvement with screen siren Marilyn Monroe and his brief connection with her time in London shooting the Laurence Olivier production of The Prince and the Showgirl.

To be on the set of that film must have been an absolute wonder because you have Olivier and Monroe in one room. They are two great actors for two very different reasons. Olivier (played by Kenneth Branagh) is renowned for his Shakespearean work and Monroe (played by Michelle Williams) for her sexy siren beauty.

They clash initially, due to their acting methods but soon a young Colin Clark (played by Eddie Redmayne) catches the eye of 30-year-old Monroe and the two begin an affair that causes gossip and antipathy amongst the film crew.

Everybody wants a piece of Marilyn and one begins to see how difficult it is for her to be anything more than how people perceive her to be — a sexy goddess. However, what the film truly highlights is how Monroe was controlled by outside influences and how people could both love and despise her, be it for her beauty, acting style or persona.

Williams’ performance as Marilyn is, overall, wondrous. At first, I didn’t know if the childlike manner in which she played Monroe was sincere and genuine. She comes across as rather ditsy and complicated and I wondered if this was the way Monroe conducted herself in person. Sure enough, as the film progressed, Williams convinces the audience that Monroe was just as complex as she was beautiful.

My Week With Marilyn is a simple but delightful film that takes us inside the life of one of the most unforgettable stars to ever grace the screens. I give it 3 out of 5.

By Kylan Luke-McKeen

INFO: Kylan Luke-McKeen is the presenter and film reviewer for Kiss My Arts on JOY94.9 (Mondays 9-10pm). You can view his work and other film reviews at www.kylanmckeen.com

100 mins
Director: Simon Curtis
Distributor: Roadshow Films
Writer: Adrian Hodges
Cast: Michelle Williams, Kenneth Branagh, Eddie Redmayne, Emma Watson and Judi Dench
Playing at selected cinemas