Watch My Week with Marilyn

My Week with Marilyn is a biographical drama that delves into the life and times of Hollywood icon Marilyn Monroe. Directed by Simon Curtis and released in 2011, the film is based on two memoirs by Colin Clark, a personal assistant to Laurence Olivier. The story is set in 1956, when Olivier decides to direct and star in The Prince and the Showgirl, a romantic comedy set in the royal court of England. The film requires a female lead, and Olivier casts Marilyn Monroe, hoping that her star power will bring in audiences. However, Olivier quickly realizes that Marilyn's image as a sex symbol clashes with the refined, aristocratic tone of the script, and their creative partnership becomes strained.

Enter Colin Clark, a young man who has just started working for Olivier as an assistant. Despite his lack of experience, he is eager to impress and willingly takes on the task of looking after Marilyn during her stay in England. Colin is immediately awestruck by Marilyn's beauty and charm, and he quickly becomes her confidant and ally. Marilyn, in turn, is intrigued by Colin's innocence and sensitivity, and she enjoys spending time with him away from the prying eyes of the press and her entourage.

As Colin becomes more involved in Marilyn's life, he witnesses firsthand the toll that fame and fortune have taken on her. She is plagued by self-doubt, insecurity, and addiction, and she struggles to keep up with the demands of her career and the men in her life. Colin also finds himself caught in the middle of a power struggle between Olivier and Marilyn's acting coach, Paula Strasberg, who has a different vision of the character Marilyn is playing.

Throughout the film, we see Marilyn in various states of vulnerability and strength. She is at times childlike and whimsical, at others seductive and manipulative, and always a mystery. Michelle Williams delivers a breathtaking performance as Marilyn, capturing both her allure and her fragility. Her portrayal is nuanced and sympathetic, and she manages to convey the complexity of a figure who has been both idolized and dismissed.

Eddie Redmayne is also outstanding as Colin, playing him as a young man struggling to find his place in the world. He is both enamored and frustrated with Marilyn, admiring her talent and beauty but also seeing her flaws and weaknesses. Kenneth Branagh is equally impressive as Olivier, showing us the actor's ambition and insecurity as he tries to put his stamp on the film.

My Week with Marilyn is a beautifully shot and well-paced film that captures the glamour and drama of 1950s Hollywood. The sets and costumes are lavish and evocative, and the soundtrack features a mix of classic songs and original score. The story is engaging and emotionally resonant, touching on themes of love, identity, and the cost of fame.

Overall, My Week with Marilyn is a moving and memorable film that pays tribute to one of the most iconic actresses of all time. It is a must-see for anyone interested in Marilyn Monroe or the golden age of Hollywood.

My Week with Marilyn is a 2011 drama. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.9 and a MetaScore of 65.