Adaptations #2: A Smashing Performance

I am a fan of Smash, Steven Spielberg's contribution to the NBC primetime line-up, and had heard good things about Michelle Williams' performance as Marylin Monroe in My Week With Marylin, the film adaptation of Colin Clark's diary documenting his week on set of The Prince and the Showgirl with Monroe and Sir Laurence Olivier. So naturally, I was curious to see where Marylin's many nominations came from.
The story is interesting and holds historical significance, but the success of My Week With Marylin rests largely on Williams' portrayal of the title film icon. The average Marylin performance usually consists of a direct impersonation of the Monroe persona--vocal imitation coupled with coy sexuality and a platinum wig--and comes off as either novel parody or gratingly annoying iconoclasm. Williams' Marylin takes into account the woman between; behind Marylin Monroe is Norma Jean Baker, a reluctant star risen too fast, forced by fame to live her real life as a fantasy to such a degree that it disgusts her to "be herself" on film. In short, no one plays Marylin Monroe better than Norma Jean Baker, and no one plays Norma Jean Baker playing Marylin Monroe better than Michelle Williams.
A+

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