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Michelle Williams, Eddie Redmayne, Kenneth Branagh, Dougray Scott, Julia Ormond ... see more see more... , Judi Dench , Dominic Cooper , Emma Watson , Toby Jones , Zoë Wanamaker , Philip Jackson , Geraldine Somerville , Derek Jacobi , Simon Russell Beale , Pip Torrens , Michael Kitchen , Miranda Raison , Karl Moffatt , Robert Portal , Jim Carter , Victor McGuire , Richard Attlee , Michael Hobbs , Brooks Livermore , Rod O'Grady , Richard Clifford , Gerard Horan , Alex Lowe , Georgie Glen , Richard Shelton , Peter Wight , Paul Herzberg , James Clay , Jem Wall , Ben Sando , Josh Morris , David Rintoul , Sean Vanderwilt , Adam Perry , Desmond McAleer

In the early summer of 1956, 23 year-old Colin Clark (Eddie Redmayne), just down from Oxford and determined to make his way in the film business, worked as a lowly assistant on the set of 'The Prince ... read more read more...and the Showgirl'. The film that famously united Sir Laurence Olivier (Kenneth Branagh) and Marilyn Monroe (Michelle Williams), who was also on honeymoon with her new husband, the playwright Aurthur Miller (Dougray Scott). Nearly 40 years on, his diary account The Prince, the Showgirl and Me was published, but one week was missing and this was published some years later as My Week with Marilyn - this is the story of that week. When Arthur Miller leaves England, the coast is clear for Colin to introduce Marilyn to some of the pleasures of British life; an idyllic week in which he escorted a Monroe desperate to get away from her retinue of Hollywood hangers-on and the pressures of work. -- (C) Weinstein

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72% liked it

31,197 ratings

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84% liked it

159 critics

R, 1 hr. 39 min.

Directed by: Simon Curtis

Release Date: November 23, 2011

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DVD Release Date: March 13, 2012

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Kenneth Branagh Eddie Redmayne Michelle Williams Julia Ormond Michelle Williams Judi Dench Michelle Williams Michelle Williams Michelle Williams Emma Watson Michelle Williams Michelle Williams Michelle Williams Michelle Williams Dominic Cooper Derek Jacobi Emma Watson as "Lucy" in 'My Week with Marilyn' Michelle Williams
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Flixster Reviews (2,774)

  • paulsandberg
    January 6, 2013
    paulsandberg
    My Week With Marilyn is another film "based on actual events", but this time truly believable as the co-writer of the screenplay is Colin Clark who published his diary based on his time spent as 3rd director (read go-fer) during the filming of The Prince And The Showgirl (a truly... read more tepid film that is memorable only for the pairing of those two iconic figures, Sir Lawrence Olivier and Marilyn (who doesn't need a last name!).

    The film does a wonderful job of getting inside not only the filmmaking, but of the psyche of that mercurial yet fragmented and frightened woman child that was Marilyn. With a strong cast including Kenneth Branagh as Olivier (who must have truly enjoyed being able to emote the bard in so many lines... I could listen to him do Shakespeare all day), and a fantastic rendition of Marilyn by Michelle Williams. For good measure you have Dame Judi Dench in a lovely role, and in what amounts to a cameo, Derrick Jacobi, who manages to light up the screen in his short time on it.

    The direction and camera work stand up to the actors involved, with some lovely rotating camera work and lighting that somehow managed to emulate just how the camera loved Miss Monroe. Director Simon Curtis (and wouldn't it be something if he was related to Tony Curtis who once said that kissing Marilyn was like kissing Hitler) - plays the film as if it were the 60's and this serves the film well - keeping things moving along and light and breezy in spite of showing all of Marilyn's frayed edges. Using bits of songs from the Marilyn songbook along the way help capture her glamour but also her frailty, especially the terrific adaptation by Williams of That Old Black Magic which closes the film. Her significant pause before uttering the last word of the song sent chills down my spine.

    Many have complained that this film is nothing more than a gimmick, but I have to disagree. It is well made, with terrific acting on display - an intelligent script and a 60's feeling that while showing you bits of the fractured Marilyn, refuses to wallow in it. The film may lack a certain depth in this regard, but for my taste, this isn't what I wanted to see here. The film entertains, shows a degree of respect for the subject, and rises far above the tabloid fare I'm sure many were hoping for.
  • romy861
    December 15, 2012
    romy861
    Kind of average. I was really looking forward to seeing it, but story was kind of minimal. Michelle Williams does put in a good performance as Marilyn and I liked that it explored her troubled and insecure side.
    It was worth watching, but once was enough.
  • binky013
    September 17, 2012
    binky013
    I know that they were trying to make Michelle Williams look like Monroe, but this was a failure. Seeing something like this makes you know that no one except Monroe looks like Monroe. I'd have preferred a subtle attempt, as they did with Branagh -- looking really nothing like O... read morelivier except by faint suggestion. All in all, well worth the watch. They did capture that problem of public vs. private life for mega-stars, and specifically in Monroe's case, they successfully personalized that experience. Makes me want to see all of her movies again.
  • flixsterman
    July 15, 2012
    flixsterman
    I can't say that Michelle Williams nailed the part perfectly, but there were moments when she channeled the spirit of Marilyn quite well.
  • cosmo313
    May 27, 2012
    cosmo313
    This is based on the true story of Colin Clark, an ambitious 23 year-old trying to make it big in the film industry in 1956 who happens to land a job as an assistant on the set of "The Prince and the Showgirl"- a film starring and directed by Laurence Olivier and featuring Marily... read moren Monroe as the female lead.

    Colin is smitten with Marilyn, and his profesional association begins to turn personal with her, despite warnings of her being a heartbreaker and the threat of trouble. Colin begins to understand who the real Marilyn Monroe is, and he just might be the person she needs most, even if their connection is inevitably going to be a bittersweet coming of age story.

    This is a very charming and heartfelt film, and yeah, it's moving too, despite being osmewhat predictable and unoriginal. Like the very similar Me and Orson Welles, this is flawed, yet well played. Eddie Redmayne is decent, but of course he's playing econd fiddle to the more interesting characters played by Michelle Williams and Kenneth Branagh.

    Williams may not be a dead ringer for Monroe (kinda like how Frank Langella and Anthony Hopkins don't really look like Richard Nixon), but she uccesfully captures the spirit and essence of her, as well as the beauty. This was going to be a tough role for anyone, but she pulls it off nicely, and she's great at showing all sides of Ms. Monroe, from the sexy and playful, to the insecure and damaged. He's made a career out of brilliant performances, and this is yet another great one to add to the list. Branagh is likewise great as Olivier, doing a good job of showing his frustration with trying to handle a force like Marilyn. There's also some appearances by Julia Ormond, Dougray Scott, Judi Dench, Emma Watson, Bob Hoskins, and Toby Jones, with some faring better than others, but nobody truly sucking.

    All in all, this is a nice film, and it looks great, and is highlighted by the acting, but the story is nothing new, this isn't as fresh as it could have been, and it's pretty overrated, but still, even then, it's hard not to like it even just a little bit.
  • xXGiNoBiLiPRXx
    April 28, 2012
    xXGiNoBiLiPRXx
    Colin Clark, an employee of Sir Laurence Olivier's, documents the tense interaction between Olivier and Marilyn Monroe during production of The Prince and the Showgirl.

    Great Film! The movie is similar in tone to "The King's Speech," and was helped by a beautiful score and wonde... read morerful costumes. I thought the performances were all very good by the leading characters. Michelle Williams's hardcore study on her character shows in the movie and she deserved her Oscar nomination. The cinematography used throughout the picture is exquisite and has a very nostalgic feel to it, which adds to the authenticity of the film, throughout. I understand that it is extremely hard to satisfy all audiences when a film about such a universal icon is created. However, I did feel that the film only scratched the surface of Monroe's exquisite facade, and that so much more could have been done within the creative walls of Curtis' direction. Overall, beautiful setting, costume design, and a thoroughly believable love affair between Redmayne and William's characters, all add up to a captivating, beautiful film, which I feel will be looked upon in years to come, as a sensitive and inciteful look into the life of Hollywood's most intriguing superstar.

    Young Oxford graduate Colin Clark has dreams of getting into the movies. Or, has he prefers to say, run off to the circus. He pursues a production position and is eventually named third assistant director for The Prince and the Showgirl (1957). Directed by and starring Sir Laurence Olivier, the film also stars Marilyn Monroe. While Olivier the renowned stage actor is looking to become a movie star, Monroe is a movie star looking to be seen as a serious actress. Monroe is terribly self-conscious, has her own full-time acting coach in Paula Strasberg and is frequently late. It all drives Olivier a bit mad and he assign Colin to supervise her and make sure she gets to work on time. Colin and Marilyn soon develop a rapport and they have a positive effect on one another.
  • fb733768972
    April 26, 2012
    fb733768972
    "My Week With Marilyn" celebrates the story of how Marilyn Monroe became a huge movie star, from the low point of being hated by everyone on set, to overcoming her fears and gaining the appearance of best actress of her time, this film shows how beautiful film truly is. Eddie Red... read moremayne and most notably Michelle Williams, deliver stunning performances as Colin Clark and Marilyn Monroe. Everything about this film is perfect. From the script, to the acting, to the picture perfect cinematography, "My Week With Marilyn" is a masterpiece. Easily of the best films of 2011.
  • LWOODS04
    April 25, 2012
    LWOODS04
    Cast: Michelle Williams, Eddie Redmayne, Kenneth Branagh, Dominic Cooper, Julia Ormond, Emma Watson, Judi Dench, Zoë Wanamaker, Toby Jones, Derek Jacobi, Dougray Scott

    Director: Simon Curtis

    Summary: While filming a movie in England, Hollywood icon Marilyn Monroe slips away wi... read moreth a young Brit for a week of self-discovery and frivolity. The story that ensues is based on the real-life memoirs of Colin Clark, once assistant to Sir Laurence Olivier.

    My Thoughts: "I absolutely loved this movie and am, once again, impressed by Michelle Williams performance and her portrayal of the haunting and beautiful Ms. Marilyn Monroe. The film gives you a glimpse in the life of Marilyn as well as Colin. I don't think anyone will can truly say they knew the real Marilyn, but just this little glimpse of how it was for her makes me feel sad for her. The impending feeling she had of wanting acceptance and love comes through the screen in a force. The film surrounds more on Colin Clark, but Michelle Williams took over the screen with her presence that you forget who the film is really about. Not that Redmayne didn't give a great performance, cause he did, it's just Michelle was a force to be reckoned with. Judi Dench and Kenneth Branagh give great supporting performances as well. Great film."
  • SirPant
    April 13, 2012
    SirPant
    I thoroughly enjoyed My Week with Marilyn. The ensemble cast is fantastic with Branagh and Dench as great supporting actors but Michelle Williams stealing the show as Marilyn Monroe. She is brilliant in the role, so much so that I kept having to remind myself that she wasn't the ... read morereal Marilyn, I exaggerate not. She is fast becoming my favourite actress, with her last few films being my favourite of the last few years. Although the story is based on Colin Clark's book, it's fair to say that his memory was slightly blurred my his whirlwind romance, understandable but when it comes to that odd scene where we see Jack Cardiff say hello it doesn't quite ring true. I met Jack a few years ago at Brighton film school, he tried to sell us original photos of Marilyn for ridiculous sums of money. He was old and had lost it a bit but he spoke of Marilyn in the most wonderful way, I can understand how she captivated so many. I did however, appreciate the uncomplicated mood of the story - what many see as being dull I saw as being focused. The two second Norman Wisdom appearance was great though and very much appreciated, wouldn't it have been great if he was in The Prince and the Showgirl!
  • blacksheepboy
    April 9, 2012
    blacksheepboy
    A decent yet not memorable film that left me smiling after it ended. Michelle Williams is great, even though she doesn't resemble the real Marilyn physically or in tone of voice - and it is also a role that would require an actress with greater sex appeal.

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Critic Reviews

Rick Groen
December 2, 2011
Rick Groen, Globe and Mail

That's all familiar lore but, to his credit, director Simon Curtis lays out these separate ambitions and conflicting tensions with breezy dispatch in the early frames. Full Review

Joe Baltake
November 30, 2011
Joe Baltake, Passionate Moviegoer

'My Week with Marilyn': Minor film with major marketing campaign Full Review

Joe Morgenstern
November 26, 2011
Joe Morgenstern, Wall Street Journal

A dubious idea done in by Adrian Hodges's shallow script and Simon Curtis's clumsy direction. Full Review

Moira MacDonald
November 25, 2011
Moira MacDonald, Seattle Times

[Williams] floats through the movie, perfectly capturing Monroe's way of rhythmically whispering through a song, looking softly frightened when uncertain, and not strolling so much as delicately oozin... Full Review

Peter Howell
November 25, 2011
Peter Howell, Toronto Star

Curtis occasionally takes his characters out of Pinewood, but they're never really set free, either in physical or emotional terms. Full Review

Lisa Schwarzbaum
November 24, 2011
Lisa Schwarzbaum, Entertainment Weekly

Michelle Williams plays Monroe, and she's a wonder. Full Review

James Rocchi
November 23, 2011
James Rocchi, MSN Movies

It's too bad that Williams didn't have a script or director that would have given the film a better chance of attaining greatness. Full Review

Peter Rainer
November 23, 2011
Peter Rainer, Christian Science Monitor

[Williams] captures not only Monroe's fragility but also the guile and gumption beneath it. What she can't capture, of course, is Monroe's aura, and without it, the performance comes across as somethi... Full Review

William Goss
November 23, 2011
William Goss, Film.com

It's an easy emotional rollercoaster to put an audience through, and while Williams nails the breathy voice and flickers of doubt, her work here is never allowed to feel truly effortless. Full Review

Lisa Kennedy
November 23, 2011
Lisa Kennedy, Denver Post

After My Week, Monroe remains an enigma. And that isn't a failing of Williams' performance but an expression of its nuance. Full Review

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Facts

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    • Sir Laurence Olivier: Acting is all about truth and if you can fake that, you'll have a jolly good career.
    • Dame Sybil Thorndike: First love is sweet despair.
    • Dame Sybil Thorndike: First love is such a sweet despair, Colin.
    • Marilyn Monroe: Why do the people I love always leave me?
    • Marilyn Monroe: People always see Marilyn Monroe. As soon as they realize I'm not her, they run.
    • Marilyn Monroe: Don't forget me.
    • Colin Clark: As if I could.
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