Running Time: 99 mins Directed By: Simon Curtis Starring: Michelle Williams, Kenneth Branagh, Eddie Redmayne, Emma Watson, Judi Dench, Derek Jacobi, Dougray Scott, Dominic Cooper, Julia Ormond Screenplay: Adrian Hodges
UK Release Date: 25th November 20111 - UK
Quick Plot: In 1956, the gorgeous Marilyn Monroe arrives in the UK to shoot The Prince And The Showgirl, directed by and starring Sir Laurence Olivier. A young production assistant, Colin Clark, gets a life changing week when he becomes a close friend of Miss Monroe.
Review: For me, I was always interested in seeing My Week With Marilyn as I am a huge fan of Michelle Williams and the lady herself, Marilyn Monroe. I can't say I've seen enough Monroe films for my liking, but I've seen enough to know what a talent and inspiration she was and still is.
Based upon two memoirs by Colin Clark, the film centres around Monroe's insecurities behind the camera and her relationships during 1956. Sir Larry soon realises that asking Marilyn Monroe to star in his film was a mistake after she is constantly late on set, incredibly dependent on her acting coach and highly prone to sick days. As expected, Branagh nails his performances as Sir Laurence Olivier who at first hopes to woo the gorgeous showgirl but instead is aggravated by her and her acting coach. With a few outbursts both funny ('but why can't you get here on time for the love of fuck!') and not so much, he gives a remarkable performance and is sure to wrap up a nomination for two in a few months time.
Without the press that circulated films back in the 50s compared to today, it's not fully certain what is and what isn't true about Marilyn Monroe's career and life style, so for some, My Week With Marilyn is heartbreaking discovery about one of the most famous actresses ever. Absolutely perfect casting was done for Williams as Monroe because not only does she look the part, she plays is beautifully. By going all out into perfecting each character inside the woman, Williams successfully wins over the audiences in the film and us with the glamorous, passionate actress and the lonely, frightened little girl Marilyn was. Michelle Williams obviously set out to faithfully portray the role but she also added her own charm Monroe. Meanwhile, Eddie Redmayne isn't necessarily a stand out performance in My Week With Marilyn, but he should not be forgotten as he has come a long way for his role Colin Clark. Clark's innocence begins to disappear when he falls in love with the show girl, but of course, the naivety is still there and Redmayne's portrayal of Clark is magnificent.Other British talents such as Dench, Ormond and an American Cooper give as great a job as always as well as Watson's small, pretty appearance in a few scenes.
One of the memoirs cleverly titled 'The prince, the showgirl and me' is proof alone that the relationship between Clark and Monroe was something similar to a fairytale. It's a tragic love story. It's a true account but it's something a lot of films storyline are based on. Unknown man/lady...big Hollywood actor/actress and a love affair. There are no sex scenes, but the passion shown between Monroe and Clark's affair is enough for the film to be a believable, true, love story. Williams and Redmayne's chemistry helps push the beauty of this relationship onto the screen and in the end it falls into a heartbreak.
It's not spectacular and nothing major happens as most things are either well known or seen coming but the performances are all extremely charming and keep you interested. It's definitely a film for critics and film lovers and it's going to have a lot of award nominations in the next few months. No doubt for Branagh and Williams.
Stunning performances which draw you into a very complicated yet important part of Marilyn Monroe's life and career. 3.5/5
Running Time: 121 mins Directed By: Cary Fukanaga Starring: Mia Wasikowska, Jamie Bell, Michael Fassbender, Sally Hawkins, Judi Dench Screenplay: Moira Buffini UK Release Date: UK - 9th September
Quick Plot: Charlotte Brontë's classic novel Jane Eyre tells of how the young, beautiful, Jane flees from her compelling school Thornfield Hall becoming a governess meanwhile falling in love with the man she works for; mysterious Mr. Rochester.
Review: Period dramas are a little harder to come by these days, so a classic like Jane Eyre is a real treat for the cinema. The novel is one of the most famous pieces of literature so I knew the name Jane Eyre but when I first watched the trailer (because Fassbender's name was attached) I really had no idea what to expect as far as the storyline goes. But what it turns out to be something of a favourite of mine, a beautiful, dramatic, deep love story with a frightening progress. Mia Wasikowska is undoubtedly the best actress to have been the young, plain, magnificent Jane. Because of course, Jane isn't really plain at all. She is such a beautiful character inside and out, a famous woman in literature, played by a truly talented fine actress in this adaptation. Though I have yet to see The Kids Are All Right, her role as Alice in the slightly disappointing Alice In Wonderland, was exquisite. Making the film the least bit enjoyable, she really has something special in her characters which definitely showed through Jane. With the other acclaimed talents of Michael Fassbender, Judi Dench, etc.. for Wasikowska to hold the attention on herself is a huge accomplishment. Not that Fassbender and Dench were unobserved in the film. Jane Eyre is a character who from the young age (played by Amelia Clarkson) is very much grown up in that she puts everyone before her, knows the morals of life and is very much independent. Wasikowska plays Eyre respectfully in the sense that even though she is the closest in age to the story of Jane Eyre, she plays her in her true role of being a grown up. Emotionally and psychically she proves to everyone that Eyre is sophisticated yet delicate, with passionate and moving scenes the character thoroughly develops throughout the entire film giving Wasikowska the fantastic opportunity of out stretching the role of Eyre to the limit.
Fassbender is something of a continually exceeding actor who is really making his mark recently and am sure will continue to do so. Mr. Rochester is a very dark character at first who later on we discover is not quite what he seems and you later on feel for Rochester because of the way Fassbender whole heartily plays the character. The scenes between Eyre and Rochester are possibly the greatest of the film because they're not all about the romance. With awkward encounters, funny and empathic confrontations the romance first lies deep into the chemistry of the actors which grows into a beautiful love story later on. Wasikowska has the elegant side of Jane whereas Fassbender plays the dark and handsome Rochesterwith a bit of mystery to him but never once being cold hearted or selfish- which you first believe he will be. Dench and Jamie Bell too, are fantastic ensembles to the film, both help push the story forward as it sadly seems to lag a bit at the beginning. Bell, I noticed, proves that he can play a role of a gentleman in the period drama age very well and had the charm that Eddie Redmayne has in most of his films.
The film is quite tense in places. With the dark secret Rochester holds, the film puts you on the edge of your seat many times. This adds to the beauty of the period drama genre which I admired hugely. Though at first I felt the film dragged, the cinematography and soundtrack kept me hooked into the time of the film. With stunning cuts of the Yorkshire land, the graceful buildings and pretty flowers and trees, Jane Eyre is definitely a treat for the eye.
The way the film progresses is another reason why I adored it. Starting near the end and then working it's way forward from an early flashback gets the audience involved in working out where you are now and why Jane Eyre is the way she is. From some disturbing scenes of Jane as a young child to her as a grown, loving adult, you sympathize with Jane Eyre and feel as if you know about her life. Nearly all scenes are with her in it, so you are confused and baffled but also overjoyed and in love at the same time with her.
Absolutely stunning cinematography with a beautifully talent cast, bringing one of the most famous love stories to life. Wasikowska steals the show in quite simply one of the best period dramas the cinema has seen.
