Williams captures essence of icon Marilyn Monroe

By: Juan Barquin/Columnist

Capturing the essence of the magnetic woman, Marilyn Monroe, has been a great challenge. How does one portray one of the greatest female icons of the 20th century and do her justice? The actress must put aside the pedestal of perfection and show an innocent and lost woman, rather than the lavish star that many imagine her as.

“My Week with Marilyn” tells the story of Colin Clark (Eddie Redmayne), a young man who decides to use his family connection to Vivien Leigh (Julia Ormond) and Sir Laurence Olivier (Kenneth Branagh) to break into the film business. He starts off as a simple production assistant on the set of “The Prince and the Showgirl,” working as a gopher and flirting with the young wardrobe assistant, Lucy (Emma Watson).

It isn’t until the star of the film, Marilyn Monroe (Michelle Williams), arrives that things turn around for him. In an attempt to escape the pressures from work and Hollywood, Marilyn spends a week experiencing the pleasures of British life with Colin.

Most of the charm of “My Week with Marilyn” lies in its lead actress, Michelle Williams. One cannot deny that Williams has talent, as seen in previous years with her Oscar nominated roles in “Brokeback Mountain” and “Blue Valentine,” but tackling on a woman as complex as Monroe would seem like an extraordinary challenge to most.

During the film, there are times where the viewer almost forgets that this isn’t actually Marilyn because of the sheer likeness in expression. From the opening song and dance number, one can truly see how comfortable Williams really is in Monroe’s shoes.

Putting her own spin on such a well-known actress was risky, but she delivers such a stunning performance that one can’t help being completely enamored by her — just as the characters in the film seem to be.

She jumps from the sexy starlet to the struggling actress, shining brightly while also embodying the vulnerability that encompassed this woman.

However spectacular (and likely to score an Oscar nod) Williams is in the film, the rest of the cast has their ups and downs.

While Eddie Redmayne has looks and charisma, his character acts primarily as a catalyst to lure the audience into the loose story. We see much of the film through his perspective and are given his personal view of the lovely Marilyn.

Kenneth Branagh is terrific as Olivier, delivering plenty of one-liners that add just the right amount of comedy to the film. Judi Dench is as respectable as always, playing the kind-hearted Dame Sybil Thorndike. Emma Watson, in her first role outside of the Potter world, does just fine in her barely existent role — proving to us that she can in fact be someone other than Hermione Granger.

Julia Ormond, who plays Vivien Leigh, lacks the command and presence that a star like Leigh knew she had, and Dougray Scott’s Arthur Miller doesn’t contribute much to the film.

With performances aside, “My Week with Marilyn” doesn’t quite live up to the hype. It does an astounding job of setting up the mood of the ‘50s with its costumes, set design and music, but the film falters heavily in the writing.

Adrian Hodges, who has written for television, gives us a movie script that looks like it was made for television; this script is just what happens to be the vehicle for Michelle Williams’ performance. Many have even gone as far as swapping “My Week with Marilyn” for “My Movie of the Week with Marilyn.” The new title is rightfully so in terms of its TV style.

We can see that the actors did the best they can with a mediocre screenplay, but there was no chance for the movie to reach any sort of emotional climax; such a screenplay leaves you teased and disappointed with the conclusion.

Sadly, Simon Curtis’ directing isn’t getting any better. One might expect a lot from a veteran television director, but Curtis seems to have settled for less than perfect with many of the bland scenes.

It is really a shame that certain scenes are so choppy and awkwardly pieced together because, while the potential for a great and touching moment exists, the viewer can’t feel much. Even with its poor editing and writing, “My Week With Marilyn” is still worth a watch, if only for the glorious Michelle Williams who has just enough magic to keep you under her spell.

Reel to Reel is a weekly movie review column.