My week with Marilyn

A chunk of fame and behind-the-screen games

Based on British filmmaker Colin Clark’s memoirs on the sets of the 1957 Monroe movie The Prince and the Showgirl, My Week with Marilyn offers a sneak peek into the vulnerable side of the diva who wished to be accepted and loved for who she was.

Colin Clark (Eddie Redmayne), a lanky, freckled, mediocre 23 year old, leaves his home in search of a job in the film industry. He talks his way into becoming the third assistant to the director of The Prince and the Showgirl.

When Marilyn Monroe (played by the lovely Michelle Williams) arrives in London for the film-shoot, like most men of his time, he is instantly captivated by the beauty of the American actress and takes extra care to make her stay comfortable.

Coming in late for shoots, forgetting lines and her dependency on pills makes the director Sir Lawrence Olivier (well played by Kenneth Branagh) lose patience. He remarks, Teaching Marilyn is like teaching Urdu to a badger. But he too is smitten by her elusive charm and he knows that when Marilyn gets it right, you just don’t want to look at anyone else.

Clark further goes on to give her the confidence she yearns for so that they can finish making the movie. He is fascinated by the vulnerability arising from her insecure childhood and failed marriages. He tries hard to protect her, rescue her and make her feel loved. To relieve her of the tensions on the sets, Clark takes her out for a week to visit the London countryside, when the two get closer.

Oscar-nominated for Best Actress, Michelle Williams brings back to life the sex goddess of all time with her charm and elegance. A big chunk of credit also goes to the excellent costumes and make-up. 

This movie is a must-watch. At least, my time with Marilyn was time well-spent.