First, I LOVE movies about movies. Especially “old” Hollywood stuff. Some of my favorites include,  “Man of a Thousand Faces”, “Sunset Boulevard”,  “Under the Rainbow”, “Mommie Dearest”, “Cinema Paradiso”, “Barton Fink”, “Ed Wood”, “The Aviator”, the massively underrated, “Chaplin” & of, course, the Oscar Winning, “The Artist”. So, I guess wanting to actually see a movie about the making of a Marilyn Monroe/Lawrence Olivier picture would be a no brainer, right? You’re right. Like I said, I just didn’t get the opportunity, alright?! Stop judging me! (By the way, I hope you like the fact that I used the word “picture” instead of “flick” or “movie”. Hey, I always liked referring to movies as “pictures”…I’m gonna try to bring it back.)

What’s this PICTURE about, you ask? Well, I hate explaining movie plots, so I’ll just tell you what the back of the box says:

During Marilyn Monroe’s (Michelle Williams) first trip to London to film The Prince and the Showgirl with Sir Laurence Olivier (Kenneth Branagh), she befriends Colin Clark (Eddie Redmayne), an ambitious 23-year-old Third Assistant Director on the set.  As their relationship progresses, Colin’s focus shifts from making his way in the film business to rescuing her from the pressures of celebrity life.  When Monroe’s new husband, playwright Arthur Miller, makes a brief trip to Paris, Clark takes the opportunity to introduce her to the world outside of Hollywood fame.  Based on the true story by Colin Clark, this memoir describes a magical week in which Monroe opens herself up to a stranger and finds in him a confidant and an ally.

Sounds interesting, doesn’t it? It is. It’s also beautifully shot, well paced, and the performances in this PICTURE are nothing short of amazing.

Speaking of performances, I’m also ashamed to admit that I’ve only seen two Laurence Olivier PICTURES in my life, one of them being “Clash of the Titans” back in 1981. Yes, I’ve only known Sir Laurence Olivier, one of the greatest British actors of all time, as ‘Zeus’. The other being the original “Sleuth”, co-starring the ever brilliant Michael Caine (‘Hoagie’ from “Jaws: The Revenge”!)

Kenneth Branaugh has always been an actor/director that I’ve admired (catch “Dead Again”, it’s one of my favorite PICTURES!)

He just gets Olivier right. The way he speaks, moves…he was perfect (of course I’m gauging this from my constant viewings of  “Clash of the Titans”) His confrontations and the way he deals with the difficult Monroe and her entourage were fun to watch. You can just see him stewing and constantly holding that anger in until he bursts, most often with unsuccessful results.

Confession time again. I’ve only seen ONE Marilyn Monroe PICTURE! “Some Like It Hot”. A comedy classic. She was fantastic…

So, my reference to these two iconic stars is, in a word, limited. I must say that everything you’ve heard about Michelle Williams’ Oscar-Nominated performance is one hundred percent correct. I wasn’t watching Michelle Williams up on screen…I was watching Marilyn Monroe…and she’s been dead for 49 years!

What higher praise can I bestow than that? Michelle Williams IS Marilyn Monroe…or at least who I think she was. Now I’ve confused myself. Anyways, her performance was so moving at times, that it…well…moved me. Really…and I’m a grown, manly man. In this PICTURE we see that Marilyn was extremely insecure & unsure of her capabilities as an actress. Well, she was more the MOVIE STAR than an actress. She had to put on a performance as Marilyn Monroe. Yes, it was a performance. Only a few knew the real Marilyn. This is what the story is about…and I ate it up like a grilled cheese sandwich and tomato soup. Perfect.

Eddie Redmayne, was also perfect in his role as Colin Clark, the eager, nice guy assistant to Olivier, who eventually, becomes personal confidant to Monroe. He has an innocence to him and you really want him to succeed in his effort to work in the PICTURE business. I immediately felt a connection to his character, when, early on, we see him watching PICTURE after PICTURE, in a theatre (with no texting!)…usually starring Marilyn Monroe. Then we see his persistence in trying to obtain a job with Olivier’s production company. The kid had heart and determination…he didn’t give up. It paid off. I like that, because that’s how you make it in this town. We, as the audience, root for him.

Marilyn trusted Colin. She felt she could tell him anything…because he didn’t treat her like “Marilyn Monroe”.

The supporting cast made me smile…Dominic Cooper, Julia Ormond (who I haven’t seen in a PICTURE in years!), Emma Watson (in a small, but important role as a costume girl at the Studio) and the always awesome Judi Dench. I mean, c’mon!, WHO doesn’t love Judi Dench?!

Again, I LOVE any PICTURE about PICTURES, and it was an interesting & informative ride watching this story unfold.

Moral of the story: Hollywood…It’s not all glitz and glamour, folks.

Oh yeah, almost forgot…how’s the PICTURE & sound quality? Kick-Ass! (okay, that was two words) Sharp! I actually saw the fine hairs on Ms. Williams’ cheeks, that’s how sharp it is. It really makes the cinematography pop…really gorgeous. One of the best looking Blu-Rays so far this year! Nice job again, Anchor Bay!

The Sound? Let’s just say whenever the bell rings on stage, I jumped and yelled, “Quiet, we’re rooooooling!”…every time a crowd of  paparazzi would snap PICTURES of Marilyn, I heard the POP! Behind me and yelled, “no pictures, please!” Yeah, my neighbors must think I’m nuts.

Great use of surround speakers that truly puts you in the PiCTURE about the PICTURES.

The MY WEEK WITH MARILYN Blu-ray Combo Pack and DVD bonus features include an audio commentary with director Simon Curtis and a “The Untold Story of an American Icon” featurette, which I found very informative. Check it out after you watch the PICTURE!

Well, as you can see, I really dug this PICTURE & I’m sad I didn’t get to experience it at the theatre.

At least no one texted during the PICTURE.

The DVD & Blu-Ray of “My Week With Marilyn” hit shelves March 13th. Strongly Recommended for movie lovers.

Rated R for language and Michelle Williams’ butt (or was it Marilyn’s?)