Light/Breezes

Light/Breezes
SUNRISE AT DEATH VALLEY-Photo by Tom Cochrun

Monday, December 19, 2011

BRILLIANCE-A FILM AND SUN ON A BEACH TOWN

ACTING BRILLIANCE
REEL THOUGHTS
MY WEEK WITH MARILYN
I came out of this film somewhat stunned.
Michelle Williams as Marilyn was mind blowing.
The acting, even to the bit parts was a tour de force.
I simply did not see it coming.
It is a bright, clever and even poignant film.
Based on the book by Colin Clark, who spent
time as a junior director in Laurence Olivier's company as the famed actor tried his hand at directing Marilyn,
the film is a reminiscence and portrait.
There are moments in the film where you forget
you are watching Michelle Williams play Marilyn.
So brilliant, nuanced, subtle and beautiful!
Williams mastered a technique with her eyes
that seemed to channel Monroe.  If Meryl Streep got
praise for her Julia Childs, Williams should get
a crown for her Marilyn. 
Boozy, pill sedated, insecure, manipulative,
William's Marilyn provides an intimate look
into the mega star that  became an icon.
In this film, you "get" how she became what 
she did. Williams was incredible.
But so was Kenneth Branagh as Laurence Olivier. Olivier fans might quibble a bit with some of the quirks, ego and insecurity, still it was great acting.  Young Eddie Redmayne as Colin Clark and Harry Potter's Emma Watson were great.
Then there were the superb "bit players"-Judi Dench was masterful as Dame Sybil Thorndike.  Julie Ormand as Vivien Leigh, and Zoe Wanamaker as Paula Strasberg were also masterful.  Michael Kitchen and Derek Jacobi had even smaller parts, but their cameos also shone.
This is an actor's film and Director Simon Curtis presided in such a way to let some real cinema magic happen.
There are bigger, more important films this year,
but this is sweet, luscious and so well acted.
DAY BOOK
Cayucos Bright
The great surfing and retro beach town just down the 
coast, wears the sun well.




See you down the trail.

5 comments:

  1. I've been wondering about My Week With Marilyn, so I'm glad to hear your positive revue. I plan on adding this one to my movie list.

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  2. Stephen-you may fall in love with Marilyn either all over again or for the first time.

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  3. Deanna and I appreciate your positive review. Marilyn is now on our "must-see" list.
    John and Deanna

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  4. Me too. And Cayucos is such a neat little beach town I may have to replace SLO with it.

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  5. Mr T-I think you'd be right at home there in Cayucos.

    John, let me know what you and Deanna think of the film after you see it.

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