Must be hard to be Ms. Monroe. Despite the abundance of charm and appeal, she still felt lost in a world that is supposed to be in the palm of her iconic hands. Despite of her film successes, she still suffered from lack of critical appreciation because of her palpable bombshell screen persona. Despite of overcoming her disheartening childhood, she succumbed to her personal battles and demons as an adult. Each of us has a permanent image of her but just like other icons of our time – an incomplete picture. In this movie, the filmmaker tries to provide us glimpses of both Marilyn Monroe and Norma Jeane Mortenson as it narrates the making of the picture, The Prince and Showgirl. Though it applies the “as seen-through-the-viewpoint” of another character, there is little doubt the star is Ms. Monroe.
Colin Clark (Eddie Redmayne) is the disappointment in a clan of high-achievers. He watches movies to escape the frustration. Notwithstanding objections from his father, he pursued his dream of joining the films. He scored a chance after it was announced Laurence Olivier (Kenneth Branagh) will direct a film co-starring Marilyn Monroe (Michelle Williams) in England. As the third assistant director and de facto assistant to Olivier, Clark seems to be realizing his life-long passion until he gets entangled with the lead actress. People keeps reminding him not to accede to the “little girl lost” act of the star because “she breaks hearts” in the end. But these admonitions fell into deaf ears as he and Monroe became closer as the film-making progresses.
There is no doubt Michelle Williams is a formidable actress but she was exceptional as the iconic star. Aside from coming quite close, appearance-wise, she managed to come up with a performance with equal amounts of the vivacious Monroe and the vulnerable Mortenson. Truth be told, Monroe has the stunning strength to magnetize an audience all to herself – and this is one test Williams needed to pass. She did pass. Upon hearing the cast, I had doubts if she can pull it off but after watching her, as the cliche goes, I cannot think of another actress in the title role. Flawless is the proper description for her phenomenal performance.
Something that cannot be said of the Kenneth Branagh. He is of course a colossal talent but his take on Lord Laurence Olivier tested patience. There are times when he it felt like an imitation. Instead of inhabiting the character, he impersonated the great British actor. As a moviegoer, I need to see the Branagh in the Olivier or vice-versa not to see Branagh acting out Olivier. Consider Dame Judi Dench: she delivered – as always – as Dame Sybil Thorndike but the patented Dench nuances shone through. Another underrated cast member is the almost unrecognizable Julia Ormond as Vivien Leigh. Ormond is heartbreaking as the aging movie star envious of her husband’s co-star. I had to shed a few tears in the scene where she and Olivier were screening film rushes where she broke down after realizing there is no possible competition between her and Monroe. The former It Girl just had a couple of scenes but her pain seared through the screen.
As for the actors, Eddie Redmayne, Dominic Cooper and Emma Watson all acquitted themselves in there respective roles. Redmayne in particular is impressive as the good-hearted but passionate Colin Clark. One believes him when as he persuades Monroe to turn her back on her career and just live a simple life. But this film is all about Michelle Williams. Had she not been up against the sensational Streep and the divine Davis in the recent Oscars, she would have won the coveted acting statuette. Not this time but I am confident in the future the former teen star will win one or more. Must be exciting to be Ms. Williams.
RATING: B+
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