A Movie A Day Keeps The Zombies Away

My Week with Marilyn (2011)

Colin Clark, an employee of Sir Laurence Olivier’s, documents the tense interaction between Olivier and Marilyn Monroe during production of The Prince and the Showgirl.

Based on the books/memoirs of Colin Clarke: “My Week with Marilyn” and “The Prince, the Showgirl and Me”.

Michelle Williams embodied Marilyn Monroe and owned it. A completely believable portrayal of one the most infamous women of showbiz. 

Eddie Redmayne, Kenneth Branagh, Emma Watson and Judi Dench are her equally talented supports. Need i remind viewers? This is all about Marilyn. She wouldn’t have wanted it any other way… or would she?

Sir Laurence Olivier is making a movie and employs neophyte Colin Clark. He creates a bond with the unmanageable Marilyn and unlocks secrets and fears of the superstar. This all happens during the making of Prince and the Showgirl (1957), one of Monroe’s best acting accomplishments.

TRIVIA: The reenactments of scenes from The Prince and the Showgirl were filmed on the very same soundstage that the original was filmed on.

This movie was fun and easy to view, a bit too soft and gentle for my taste. But Williams drove it home, as if reincarnating a legend and putting her in the modern stage once again. Sadly the film has nothing else to offer but “Marilyn”…

Moms, daughters, agents and curious menfolk would appreciate this quaint little (romantic drama) taste of film history, from the eyes of a starstruck gentleman. 

Remember “Fame can be a Bitch”