My Week With Marilyn / The Prince and the Showgirl

Tali: My Week with Marilyn (MWWM) is a well very done biopic on perhaps the most famous actress of cinematic history. Although it only explores a snippet of her life (the filming of “The Prince and the Showgirl”), the script and the setting is crafted well enough that the viewer becomes engulfed into the melancholic drama of Marilyn Monroe’s life. Monroe’s personal pain and suffering depicted in the film allows us to humanize the star and to empathize with her; yet the allure of her beauty and stardom are eminent in this film - which still leaves much to be desired regarding her own personal lore. Michelle Williams deserves an Oscar for her performance, hands-down. As a big fan of Monroe’s films, it was amazing to see Williams transform into the icon without turning the film into a parody or cheap imitation.

Leo: My week with Marilyn was a surprisingly enjoyable film for me. It is not my preferred genre, but I mean how can you not want to see a movie where Emma Watson is playing the second hottest girl in the movie? Plot-wise, the concept is not all that appealing neither is the storyline. It’s basically about a guy that almost has an affair with Marilyn, which is almost a big deal. However, it still is very well done. Michelle Williams gives off an aura as Marilyn as if she actually was her which drove the movie. It would have probably been a much better movie with the "main" character as a slightly less important side character with Marilyn as the main focus. Not going to lie, was kind of hoping for some sort of scene involving Emma Watson or Michelle Williams....you know....not wearing clothes .....or both (no, the swimming part doesn't count). No harm in hoping. Don't tell Tali.

Added bonus! The Prince and the Show Girl!

Tali: The Prince and the Showgirl (PATSG) is a 1957 film, which also serves as the background of MWWM.  Marilyn Monroe and Sir Lawrence Olivier shine in this period piece set in England in 1911. Throughout her career, Monroe was usually cast as the ‘dumb blonde’ archetype with little room for character growth or personal development as an actor. It was quite refreshing to see her in the role of Elsie Marina – a woman who finally has personal agency and self-awareness in her relationships with men and within the world at large. Marilyn still uses her sexuality and prowess to her advantage throughout the film (have you seen that dress?!?), but it appears for the first time she was granted a character with a head on her shoulders. Very entertaining and funny film, I would say this was Monroe’s best performance.

Fun Fact: the original set for PATSG was left untouched for years, only to be reused as the set for MWWM.