The cast saves the show

My Week with Marilyn:

Ruwini JAYAWARDANA

This year marks the 50th death anniversary of screen legend Marilyn Monroe on August 5. Though she has always been presented as a larger than life icon, Simon Curtis’ biographical drama My Week with Marilyn shows the vulnerable side of the mesmerizing starlet.

My Week with Marilyn relates how an insecure Marilyn Monroe entered cinema and had to prove her acting prowess. She came to Britain to make an ill-fated comedy The Prince and the Showgirl at Pinewood Studios in 1956 with Lawrence Olivier. The whole team is captivated by her beauty and mysterious aura. Only Olivier does not seem to be transfixed by her charms and he turns her into a nervous wreck when she does not remember her lines or relies on her acting coach for support. However it is only a mask he wears to hide his true feelings for the actress. He is more upset when Marilyn turns to one of his insignificant employees for support.

Michelle Williams as Marilyn Monroe

Kenneth Branagh as Sir Lawrence Olivier

The story is seen from the standpoint of the star-struck third assistant director, Colin Clark. He had managed to get a job in Olivier’s production office after much difficulty. The easy and genuine aspect of his nature catches Marilyn’s eye and she takes him for a confidant and turns to him for support.

The film is based mostly on facts written by Clarke himself as he had revealed in his diaries in 2000 that he had spent an intimate week with the Marilyn while her husband, Arthur Miller, was away. He was dazzled by her sensuality and becomes infatuated with her. They build a bond over a week and it gives Colin an opportunity to fantasize a dream which he would remember for a lifetime.

At certain instances the angles of the clips in the movie reminds you of Tom Hooper’s The King’s Speech.

There are a few scenes which project Marilyn in skimpy attire or in half nude. Therefore My Week with Marilyn is more apt for the adult audience.

The movie hardly gives new insight to the characters since most of the facts are well known to the public. It is more of an entertaining watch than an in-depth study.

Kudos to Michelle Williams for her attempt in giving life to the screen icon. The Dawson’s Creek star had continued with her de-glam route since Brokeback Mountain and seems to be following the steps of Charlize Theron. She is confident in her role and portrays the damsel’s changing emotions with ease. She builds a memorable picture of Marilyn and makes the audience adore the legendary actress all over again.

Eddie Redmayne gives a fine performance as Colin. Judi Dench may have taken on a minor role but she leaves a lasting impact as Sybil Thorndike.

Emma Watson makes a cute wardrobe girl named Lucy. Kenneth Branagh infuses comedy as well as some serious acting into My Week with Marilyn as Sir Lawrence Olivier. Every actor has pulled his or her weight with poise.

Apart from the exceptional performance by the cast the movie has little to boast about. Its success lies purely on the ability of Williams and Branagh’s skills to infuse their characters with a startling sense of humanity.

Though one almost expects a passionate romance to build between them we see that both have their weaknesses and are fearful to face failure rather than pursue their own desires.