The movie is about infatuation, innocence, celebrity, jealousy, insecurities, vulnerabilities, and competitiveness among famous actors. Moreover, it explores the ultimate question: is bombshell Monroe a dazzling movie star or a serious actor or both? As with all BBC productions, the film was shot with such nostalgia, beauty and subtlety that we boomers just can't help but fall in love with it.
Kudos go to British film director Simon Curtis who until recently has been making TV movies and programs for 20 years before this debut feature film. He's also married to the American actress Elizabeth McGovern who currently has a prominent role in the renowned TV series Downton Abbey. Curtis disclosed in his interview with The Toronto Sun that his parents actually met in Toronto which was considered a very glamorous city during the post-war era when England was recovering.
I was never a big fan of Michelle Williams's, but I have to give her credit for having done an amazing job in portraying Monroe. There might be another actress who looks more captivating than Williams, but she did it with such ease and natural charm without overdoing it as other actresses have done in the past - no high-pitching voice but enough giggling and femininity to remind us of the film goddess. She's not as voluptuous and attractive as the character she's portraying, but it's her vulnerability that makes Williams the ultimate Monroe. She also has amazing skin and complexion in the movie and boy, she can sing! I don't know what Williams has done to her voice training since her Blue Valentine role, but she is definitely a much better singer this time round. I can't even recall that Monroe herself could sing that well.
But the rest of the cast is equally amazing particularly Kenneth Branagh who plays Sir Lawrence Olivier, Julia Ormond who plays his wife Vivien Leigh and Eddie Redmayne who plays the 23-year-old Clark. Dame Judi Dench is her same magnificent self in every role she plays but Emma Watson as Lucy is totally replaceable. The fact that this is a true story makes the movie even more mesmerizing. Monroe's inner demons and the everlasting loneliness drove her men both crazy and infatuated. This also applied to her director Olivier. There are talks about Williams nominated for an Oscar for her role in this film. I, for one, would not be unhappy if she won.
