Gentlemen Prefer Williams – My Week with Marilyn a Must-See for Monroe Fans

Photo Credit: The Beachcomber

Gentlemen Prefer Williams: My Week with Marilyn a Must-See

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December 19, 2011 • Samantha Powell, Staff Reporter  
Filed under A&E, Top Stories

In the summer of 1953, recent Oxford graduate Colin Clark met iconic actress Marilyn Monroe on the set of The Prince and the Showgirl. Clark later published a diary account of those six months on the set, with the exception of one week. That week is portrayed in the recent motion picture My Week with Marilyn. In the movie, while Monroe’s husband is away, Clark takes her on an escape from her routine and pressures of work in a cinematic collision of old England and new Hollywood.
Even when this project was in the first stages of approval, casting, and scripting, an instant buzz was created. Many wondered if this would simply become yet another film in the long list of Monroe documentaries and films. Others wondered what actress could simulate the flair for captivating an audience and sex appeal that is Marilyn Monroe. The gargantuan task fell to Michelle Williams.
“Excellent. She did a great job,” were the remarks heard as people filed out of the theater. More praises for Michelle Williams followed. “She deserves the Oscar.” A nomination is definite yes, but the Oscar? Many believe so. What Williams did in My Week with Marilyn was, like the person in the theater said, great. Past “great” roles have been taking a character on a piece of paper and giving that character dimension. Marilyn Monroe, to an extent, wasn’t a character, she was a real person. Not only did Michelle Williams emulate the flirtatious nature of Monroe perfectly with winks and open smiles, but she showed a side of Monroe that had vulnerability. It’s hard to imagine Marilyn Monroe as that insecure girl shown in part of the film, but Michelle Williams made it absolutely believable, despite not looking quite like her. “The biggest discovery I made was that Marilyn Monroe was a character she played,” said Williams of her role. The flawlessness of switching between the two sides of Marilyn Monroe combined with bringing the larger than life actress to a relatable human is why Michelle Williams should get the Oscar.
It does help that the view of Monroe in the film is through the eyes of Colin Clark who is smitten with her. Yes, the viewers see the frustration of the other actors on set with Monroe when she is late and can’t remember her lines, but more often we see Clark’s feelings being reciprocated and quotes like “when she gets it right, boy she gets it right.” Through Clark, we also see his one-one-on time with Monroe. It’s that on-one-on time where we see the insecure and vulnerable side of her.  Another advantage of this is that, while the movie revolves around Marilyn Monroe, we only see a brief encounter with her. A movie about her whole life would be too long or show very brief highlights all compiled into a montage-esque two hours.
Overall, My Week with Marilyn was a very good film with good acting, especially by Michelle Williams. You can see it at Reading Theater-Gaslamp, AMC Mission Valley and the Landmark Theater in La Jolla among select other theaters in San Diego.

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