MY WEEK WITH MARILYN (R)

MOVIESAL'S GRADE: B-

MY WEEK WITH MARILYN

Cast overview, first billed only: Michelle Willians - Marilyn Monroe Eddie Redmayne - Colin

Well, it's Oscar season again, which means we'll start being inundated with biopics and celebs putting on weight or false noses in hopes of bringing home that bald little statue. The difference between most of them and Michelle Williams is that Michelle Williams deserves it.

Don't get me wrong. This movie is not The King's Speech. It's not perfect and subtle and amazing. It is very well done, and Williams is great as Marilyn, but the plot is thin and doesn't reveal much more about the inner-life of Monroe than we would get from an A&E Biography. We all know she was insecure, neurotic, perpetually drugged up, and hell on a set. We all know about her and men and daddy issues and the downside of fame. But, Williams absolutely shines. Her performance, even in the quieter moments, is pure Marilyn. 

The biggest problem with this movie is the plot, which doesn't really seem to exist. It follows Colin, who is the third assistant director on the set of Marilyn's latest movie and, of course, falls desperately in love with her. Who wouldn't? They don't have a torrid affair, but she does cling to him and he almost convinces himself they might really have a future together, despite every person on earth telling him otherwise.

The ending shouldn't shock anyone.

Colin himself is a weak character and not very interesting. We are supposed to relate to him as the "normal" guy, but I for one never gave him a second thought. He was just a conduit to get a glimpse of Marilyn.

While the script is weak, most of the supporting performances are amazing. The most interesting part of this film to me was watching two aging stars of the time, Laurence Olivier and Vivian Leigh (Branaugh and Ormond), dealing with the inconsistent Marilyn. Watching them both come to terms with the fact that their days in the spotlight were over, that they were getting older and more irrelevant with each passing moment, was fascinating, sad, and very well done. The combination of love, hate, resentment, and absolute awe with Marilyn were so subtly done that you would almost miss it if you weren't looking for it.

If you love this era of cinema, if you love Marilyn Monroe, you will enjoy this movie. If not, I fear it is too slow and too thin a script for you to take much away from it.

THE BOTTOM LINE:

Entertaining? For movie fans, yes.

Enlightening? Only if you don't know anything about Marilyn Monroe.

Summary: A slow, dreamy film with great performances, particularly from Williams.

The Muppets (PG)

THE MUPPETS (PG)

MOVIESALS'S GRADE: A-

Jason Segel - Gary
Amy Adams - Mary

Calling something "cute" can go either way. It's either a sincere compliment expressing a true affection for something, or it's a patronizing way to dismiss something with a pat on the head and a "there, there."

In this case, it's a sincere compliment. The Muppets is cute, adorable, lovable, fluffy, and endearing. Jason Segel, who penned the script and is basically the driving force behind this movie even existing, is a true, passionate fan and it shows in each and every frame. He and everyone involved in this movie were clearly having a blast making it, and that translates well on the screen.

I would talk about the plot, but it is almost irrelevant. The Muppets have to get back together after splitting up years ago for one last concert. Blah blah. Who cares? No one goes to a muppet movie for the story. You go for the characters we know and love, and this film does not disappoint. It is a family movie in he true sense of the word. The kids will love the obvious gags and the physical comedy, while the adults will get a kick out of the nostalgia and the meta-humor. Segel's fingerprints are all over the script (you can see the How I Met Your Mother style humor throughout), and every bit and gag lands perfectly. This is especially true of Jack Black's cameo role, and of Chris Cooper's insane business villain. I will say it is disappointing to see all the Disney pandering with product placement and forced Disney channel star cameos, but what can you expect? Even if this movie pans big business, you don't get much bigger than Disney.

One additional note about the music. As I was listening, I swore it sounded like Flight of the Conchords, only to discover later on that Bret Mackenzie did, indeed, work on the music. The songs are just as insanely funny, witty, and charming as you'd expect knowing FOTC had their hand in it. Go for the soundtrack alone.

THE BOTTOM LINE:

Entertaining? Yes, for literally EVERYONE in your family.

Enlightening? I'm sure there's a lesson in there somewhere, but I missed it singing along and laughing my butt off.

Summary: The Muppets are back with a bang, and let's hope not for the last time.