My Week With Marilyn

One of my favourite subjects of film plots are those that explore behind the scenes of film making. I know to most people they can be quite boring but I find the making of films fascinating.

My knowledge of Marilyn Monroe is fairly limited to the reputation she had and the stories in public domain. The only film of hers that I've seen is 'Some Like It Hot'. If this film is anything to go by then she is certainly a very tragic figure. Her beauty would seem to be the driving force behind how she got as far as she did. Men just seem to be hypnotised by her. She is obviously a talented actress but she seems to be fighting many inner demons that prevent her from being reliable. Marilyn is a fascinating character. A truly complex woman who seemed to be constantly struggling to please people and do what is right. I think the film perfectly captures the troubles this poor woman had not just in public but in private as well. Laurence Olivier I knew very little about but he seems to be the stuffy British actor that you expected him to be. They make two interesting forces of nature that came together and provide the action in the film. It is Marilyn's relationship with Colin Clark that helped Marilyn cope with this difficult time. While Colin was obviously in love with Marilyn he was not obvious about it and so I think that's what attracted her to him. She might have seen the relationship more as a friendship even if he would have liked more. This makes it a brilliant 'love' story.

Michelle Williams gives one of the best acting performances. Much like her Oscar rival Meryl Streep, you forget you are watching an actress playing a role and just think you're watching the real person. She does so many subtle things that just adds to acting perfection. Kenneth Branagh is excellent as Olivier. His Shakespearean background means he understands the character a little better. Eddie Redmayne is so sweet and adorable as Colin. A man trying to contain his true feelings and failing. Judy Dench is wonderful in her small role. I was also very pleased to see Julia Ormond back on the big screen again. Emma Watson was delightful in a non-Potter role.

While Meryl Streep definitely deserved her Oscar, Michelle's performance here was equally as sublime. A truly brilliant performance in a brilliant story.