My Week with Marilyn was released a while ago, but we didn’t have a chance to see it here in the Low Countries until a couple of weeks ago.
The film is a wonderful and nostalgic adventure for the likes of us who would rather the Golden Age of Hollywood never ended.
Michelle Williams is spectacular in the role of Monroe. The looks, costumes and makeup are fabulous. The entire “feel” of Marilyn is that of an escape from the visual effects extravaganzas of modern-day film making in favor of character and drama.
In this sense, it’s almost on par with The King’s Speech, although the plot is secondary here to experience. Story-wise, My Week With Marilyn is pretty predictable, but it’s touching all the same.
Eddie Redmayne is perfectly cast in the role of the upper-class public-schoolboy who’s aspiring to make a name for himself in the movie business. Kenneth Branagh’s Laurence Olivier is rather nasty and ill-tempered, but also sympathetic in a way that makes his character tragic. Judi Dench, of course, excels in whatever role is thrown her way. The result is a pleasure to watch.
