
My Week With Marilyn
2011, Drama, 1h 41m
187 Reviews 25,000+ RatingsWhat to know
critics consensus
Michelle Williams shines in My Week with Marilyn, capturing the magnetism and vulnerability of Marilyn Monroe. Read critic reviews
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Where to watch
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Movie Info
Cast & Crew
Marilyn Monroe
Colin Clark
Laurence Olivier
Milton Greene
Vivien Leigh
Lucy
News & Interviews for My Week With Marilyn
Critic Reviews for My Week With Marilyn
All Critics (187) | Top Critics (61) | Fresh (156) | Rotten (31)
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My Week With Marilyn is a compelling look at Marilyn Monroe's insecurities - but Michelle Williams doesn't fully convince as the film legend.
August 24, 2018 | Full Review… -
This is a trifle of a film about a trifle of a film. But trifles can be appealing, especially English trifles, and this one is no exception.
July 18, 2017 | Full Review… -
I believe the heart of the film, and the cleverest stroke of all, is Eddie Redmayne as Colin Clark, someone few of us will have heard of.
June 20, 2013 | Full Review… -
Most of all, without a shadow of a doubt or a moment's hesitation, I can state for the record Michelle Williams is sublime as the titular central figure, deftly crafting a performance that easily ranks as one of the best of the entire year.
January 27, 2012 | Rating: 3/4 | Full Review… -
That's all familiar lore but, to his credit, director Simon Curtis lays out these separate ambitions and conflicting tensions with breezy dispatch in the early frames.
December 2, 2011 | Rating: 3/4 | Full Review… -
This indifferently shot film winds up being another in a long line of creative works by men that exploit the legacy of Marilyn Monroe for their own satisfaction and little public good.
November 26, 2011 | Rating: 2.5/5 | Full Review…
Audience Reviews for My Week With Marilyn
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Aug 15, 2017My Week With Marilyn showcases how powerful Monroe really was. Perhaps not in the sense of authority, but her ability to be the most important person in a room. On a stage, down a street or even waltzing through a school, everyone knew who she was. Her acclaim and beauty was able to captivate everyone. And yet beneath the surface was a troubled young woman where the pressure of work and Hollywood drove her to depression and doubting her own self-belief. Her inexperienced training and method acting contrasted with Laurence Olivier's more traditional and thespian approach, I thought that was conveyed well. If you wanted to watch a film about Monroe's psychological decline, unfortunately this is not the film (although I think it would've benefitted exploring that route). This focusses on the difficult production of The Prince and the Showgirl and the sweet innocent love between third assistant director Colin Clark and Monroe. It's a story that is much about him as it is Monroe. Director Simon Curtis was able to capture the fragility and inevitable heartbreak that one goes through when attempting to pursue their first love. There is a thought provoking line towards the end that reads "our first love is such sweet despair" and is extremely apparent here. This is an actor's film, and what I mean by that is the acting is the primary method of captivation. No visuals, no divisiveness...just outstanding acting. Michelle Williams exhumed elegance and definitely transformed herself to not only look like Monroe but vocally sound like her. It was breathtaking to watch. Eddie Redmayne and Kenneth Branagh were both excellent also and the wealth of British talent was wonderful to watch. I appreciated the narrative to be presented in a cheery and more delightful manner, it makes the experience more uplifting and classy. Whilst I would've liked the exploration into Monroe's depression and addiction to drugs, alcohol etc. I did think the story itself was enthralling enough to be adapted. It's brief, it's concise and it's lovely to watch.Luke A Super Reviewer
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Aug 10, 2013I love Michelle Williams here. She shines as Marilyn Monroe, I was expecting to catch a flaw but none, Michelle Williams is the right choice to portray the blonde bombshell. Although, the movie itself is far from a good movie. The script is weak but executed well with brilliant casts such as Kenneth Branagh and Eddie Redmayne. 6/10.Mesh B Super Reviewer
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Jul 29, 2013Some wonderful central performances, but sadly everything else is very so-so.Marcus W Super Reviewer
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Feb 13, 2013Dame Sybil Thorndike: First love is such sweet despair, Colin. My Week with Marilyn is such a terrific film with great performances from big names like Michelle Williams and Kenneth Branagh, and littler names like Eddie Redmayne and Philip Jackson. What makes this movie the pleasure it is, is definitely the top notch cast. Michelle Williams just continues to top herself with everything she does and her performance as Marilyn Monroe is no different. She is absolutely fantastic. The other standout is Eddie Redmayne, who plays Colin Clark. Colin Clark is a 23 year old and has aspirations of making it in the movie business. He works hard to try to get a spot on the production team of Sir Laurence Oliver's next film, which happens to star Marilyn Monroe. Colin is given a position as 3rd Assistant Director and is basically nothing more then an errand boy. He catches the eye of Marilyn though, as he is different from the rest of the films production team. We also get a glimpse at the tense relationship between Oliver and Monroe as they work on the film. I love movies that show the behind the scenes look at famous people, and with My Week with Marilyn we are given that opportunity. It's also a film of subtlety, which I also love. Marilyn's lifestyle isn't made center stage in the film, but the glimpses we get of it are enough. It's just a really well written and directed film. My Week with Marilyn is a must see in my opinion. I loved each and every second of it and can't wait to watch it again. This is one of those films I can see myself revisiting many times and I'm sure I will.Melvin W Super Reviewer
My Week with Marilyn Quotes
Sir Laurence Olivier: | She's quite wonderful. No training, no craft, no guile, just pure instinct. Astonishing. |
Colin Clark: | You should tell her that. |
Sir Laurence Olivier: | Oh, I will. But she won't believe me. That's probably what makes her great, yet it's certainly what makes her so profoundly unhappy. |
Lucy: | Did she break your heart? |
Colin Clark: | A little. |
Lucy: | Good, it needed breaking. |
Marilyn Monroe: | All people ever see is Marilyn Monroe. As soon as they realize I'm not her, they run. |
Colin Clark: | It's agony because he's a great actor who wants to be a film star, and you're a film star who wants to be a great actress. This film won't help either of you. |
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