DVD REVIEW: MY WEEK WITH MARILYN
When I was vacationing in Myrtle Beach for winter vacation, I saw a slew of critically acclaimed movies: "Young Adult" (http://tito-ito.blogspot.com/2012/01/review-young-adult-r.html), "War Horse," "The Muppets" and this film, "My Week with Marilyn." It follows just what it promises: a third assistant director on "The Prince and I"'s week with the legendary Marilyn Monroe.
People like Lindsay Lohan can say they're channeling Monroe when they pose naked with blonde hair all they want, Michelle Williams sincerely looks like it's the late actress on the screen again. Totally by coincidence, I had watched with my family "Don't Bother to Knock," a thriller starring Monroe as a psycho babysitter. After viewing the film, and watching "Some Like It Hot" a few months later, there is absolutely no denying Monroe's keen acting ability, or immense beauty. Williams conveys all of that into her version of the actress, especially stressing Monroe's weaknesses...and there were a lot of those.
In "MWWM," Monroe isn't exactly put under the best light. The true story shows us that Laurence Olivier (played sprightly in an Oscar-nominated performance by Kenneth Branagh) had an unusually hard time dealing with Monroe as an actress. At one point he says "Isn't that what you do, act pretty?" which sends Monroe spiraling into one of her sad fits and locks herself into her dressing room. How she had somewhat of an affair with the aforementioned 3rd assistant director is interesting, and envy is the only natural response. Not many people can say they've kissed Marilyn Monroe, except maybe JFK.
Conspiracy plots aside, "MWWM" is really enjoyable, but ultimately it's too fluffy, and a little sentimental. If Williams wasn't so intoxicating as MM, the movie would really lack substance. It's worth a view, if not just to see Marilyn Monroe back on the big screen, flaws and all.
Rating: 3/4 stars
People like Lindsay Lohan can say they're channeling Monroe when they pose naked with blonde hair all they want, Michelle Williams sincerely looks like it's the late actress on the screen again. Totally by coincidence, I had watched with my family "Don't Bother to Knock," a thriller starring Monroe as a psycho babysitter. After viewing the film, and watching "Some Like It Hot" a few months later, there is absolutely no denying Monroe's keen acting ability, or immense beauty. Williams conveys all of that into her version of the actress, especially stressing Monroe's weaknesses...and there were a lot of those.
Conspiracy plots aside, "MWWM" is really enjoyable, but ultimately it's too fluffy, and a little sentimental. If Williams wasn't so intoxicating as MM, the movie would really lack substance. It's worth a view, if not just to see Marilyn Monroe back on the big screen, flaws and all.
Rating: 3/4 stars
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