My Week With Marilyn

Recently, I saw another film I had been wanting to see for ages. Some people read books about Chelsea Handler. Or perhaps Kim Kardashian, Katie Couric, or Jackie O. I’ve always read books about Marilyn Monroe. My bathroom for years was even inspired by her with quotes, some pictures, and old Hollywood glam. That changed when I got married :)

Anyway, Marilyn has always been my icon for as far back as I remember. Her story has always fascinated me and seeing how far she got given her circumstances has always inspired me. I’ve loved her films, her “autobiographies,” even her poems written on scrap paper. Then came this movie:

My Week With Marilyn

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Michelle Williams played Marilyn perfectly. She captured the playfulness and dark moments on and off screen and brought Marilyn back to life, if only for a while.

The film is based on the journal of Colin Clark, a London film student working on set for Marilyn Monroe’s movie. He’s invited into her world where she struggles with love, fame, and her burning desire to be a wonderful actress. We get a glimpse into what life as Marilyn Monroe was really like. The loneliness, the heartbreak, and her constant dream to find happiness.

The line that really got me was,

“People always see Marilyn Monroe. As soon as they realize I'm not her, they run.”

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In this film, we can see Norma Jean – the girl without the glitz and glam of Hollywood. We see her scars. Her fears. Her playful spirit. In one scene, after Marilyn had been spending some time alone with Colin Clark, a bunch of fans show up and Marilyn whispers, “Should I be her?” after which, she begins to strike her “Marilyn” poses. It made me think, like the above line did as well.

Everyone knew Marilyn Monroe as a blonde bombshell; a Hollywood star.

But, as Michelle shows us, there is so much more to her. So many more layers to peel back. Not many people took the time to do so.

If you haven’t already seen My Week With Marilyn, I strongly recommend it. It’s certainly a movie that I will be adding to my collection as soon as it’s released :)