“Hey lookit that. After today’s Dawn Dawn double feature (with a run to MIT for Children of Eden post mortem in between) I’m just about caught up on movies. Only got one left on my must list from what’s out already. w00t.
First up, My Week With Marilyn. The buzz is that Michelle Williams is pretty much guaranteed an Oscar nomination for the role. I’m inclined to agree, and damn what a tight race it’s gonna be this year (Meryl Streep, Glenn Close, Viola Davis). She had me captivated on multiple levels.
I’d read an article about Williams in EW that discussed how she extensively studied up on Marilyn Monroe in order to play the role. Monroe had actually extensively studied things like body language and voice such, training herself to essentially be that sex symbol she’s recognized for. Watching Williams as Monroe on the screen, I was just in awe of the confidence and sexuality that she (both women…whoa meta) exuded. I was thinking how much I wish I could do that, and trying to figure out why not? What’s stopping me? Is there any good reason why I can’t learn some of the same techniques?
But then there was the flipside to Ms Monroe–the side that the rest of the world never got to see. Whiel she oozed a playful and flirty confidence when she was the center of attention, outside of it she was more insecure than anybody else. Her love of the spotlight came from a lack of affection growing up (cliche, I know, but it’s cliche for a reason). Williams portrayed that side of Monroe just as effortlessly, and with such poignancy. Just absolutely beautiful.
While there was no doubt that the performance was gonna be amazing, I’d heard mixed things about the rest of the movie. Personally, I rather enjoyed it. It had a somewhat light feel to it, that kinda matched the youthful innocense and spirit of Colin Clark (played by Eddie Redmayne). I am a sucker for any movie that takes you behind the scenes of movies, and that element very much entertained me. Perhaps though my favorite addition to the film was Judi Dench as Dame Sybil Thorndike. She was only in a couple scenes, but she stole every one of them. Was also pleasantly surprised by Dominic Cooper (btw, I saw The Devil’s Double the other day, he is amazeballs in that) and Emma Watson.
This is certainly a must if you want to stay informed for the current Oscar race, or if you’re a lover of all things Marilyn.
My Week With Marilyn – \m/ \m/ \m/ \n