The true story of the friendship and possible romance that blossomed between movie star Marilyn Monroe and film assistant Colin Clark.

BIOPIC/DRAMA

My Week with Marilyn (2011)

Directed by Simon Curtis

Written by Adrian Hodges

Starring Michelle Williams, Eddie Redmayne, Kenneth Branagh, Dominic Cooper, Zoë Wanamaker, Judi Dench, Emma Watson

Based on the books The Prince, the Showgirl, and Me
​and My Week with Marilyn by Colin Clark

Oscar Nominations - Best Actress (Michelle Williams),
​Best Supporting Actor (Kenneth Branagh)

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Connor Eyzaguirre

August 13, 2020

8/10

In the 1950's and early 1960's, Marilyn Monroe was the most famous woman on the planet. She was the first sex symbol and a cultural icon, as well as being an acclaimed actress. In 1956, she traveled to England to make a film with Sir Laurence Olivier, who despised her after learning she was a bit of a diva who had trouble learning her lines. Allegedly, one of Olivier's assistants, Colin Clark, began a brief romance with Monroe at this time. This film depicts the circumstances of that romance, and whether you believe it happened or not, the story is engaging and thought-provoking.

Michelle Williams transforms into Marilyn Monroe, delivering yet another career-defining performance. She captures the vulnerability and larger-than-life star power that's made Monroe a household name long after her untimely death. Kenneth Branagh shines as Sir Laurence Olivier, showcasing his gravitas and the respect he commanded as one of the finest actors of all time. Finally, Eddie Redmayne brings to life a young man in deep water way over his head, as he falls hard for Monroe. Together, the two have a brief romance that falls apart because Monroe is unwilling (or unable) to give up the spotlight. It's a sad but predictable turn of events.

My Week with Marilyn may not be entirely accurate in its depiction of Monroe and Clark's relationship, but the film itself is a beautifully crafted drama. We get to see how the filming of The Prince and the Showgirl brought out certain things in both Monroe and Olivier, reminding them both to stay in their lanes, so to speak. The performances stand out and the story brings Marilyn Monroe down to earth in a way that's never been done before.