My Week with Marilyn (2011)

User Review

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  buffed_film_buff

  9 / 10

  This movie is so ridiculously charming. (Its also probably one of the few great films that came out in 2011.) It's ironic that I watched a Marilyn Monroe biopic and I have yet to see an actual movie starring her, but I'm well read enough on her complicated life and public image that I was able to really appreciate this film. Plus, I've been dying to see this film ever since I saw The Theory of Everything. My Week with Marilyn stars Eddie Redmayne as Colin Clark, a freshly graduated film student who strives to get a job on a Lawrence Olivier film. It's just his luck that this motion picture is The Prince and the Showgirl, starring the allusive Marilyn Monroe (played by a fantastic Michelle Williams,) whom he eventually falls for despite many people urging him not to. Williams is lovely and elegant, but also vulnerable and complex in the role, and she's really fascinating to watch on screen. I'll also say this: Eddie Redmayne is my weakness. It's a strange celebrity crush to have but fellow Redmayniacs will understand when I say that he is at his most boyish and adorable in this movie. Every scene between him and Marilyn was such a joy to watch, and I just had a smile on my face for 85% of the time. Of course, this film has it's sadder elements as well, and although it does get in touch with some of Monroe's demons it's still a couple years before the problems began to get severe. The music, the cinematography, and the acting is all quite wonderful, with acting greats like Kenneth Branagh and Judi Dench having great supporting roles. The film doesn't make quite good enough use of Emma Watson as Lucy, and the pacing isn't always spot on, but this film has such a special place in my heart, that despite the imperfections, the relationship between these two very different people is enough to make me swoon. It's a movie I'll come back to in time just for our two lead's delightful performances, so I say that this film is great for a watch.

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