An early look at Rex Reed’s rave review for My Week with Marilyn.
What an extraordinary thrill to leave a movie exhilarated instead of drained, sated instead of empty, rejuvenated instead of depressed. It’s a magical experience.
…Totally mesmerizing. This film might not appeal to anyone who never heard of The Prince and the Showgirl or to those too young to understand the super-colossal charisma and appeal of the tragic Marilyn herself, but for legions of movie buffs like me who grew up on this stuff, My Week with Marilyn opens up a world of wide-eyed wonder while it sweeps away the glitter and the fairy dust to reveal the pain, frustration and sweat behind the scenes.
By the time it ends, you feel like you were there, and thanks to the incandescent performance by Michelle Williams as Marilyn, I promise you’ll get know the conflicted woman behind the diamonds and the sunglasses and the glossy 8×10 fan magazine photos a little bit better than you ever will from the continuing parade of biographies that keep writers fascinated by a legend imitated by many Hollywood wannabes through the years but equaled by none.
…My Week with Marilyn is pure perfection, all right, and even more. Simon Curtis, a seasoned London stage director making his feature-film debut, does a masterful job of handling the most minute moments with delicacy and candor. Like eyes growing accustomed to the dark, it takes awhile to adjust to Michelle Williams. I’ve seen drag queens who look more like the real Marilyn. Her eyes are too big, the contours of her face lack the jaw line that stopped traffic, and where are the splendiferous curves when she shakes her booty singing “Heat Wave” and “That Old Black Magic” in film clips Colin watches hypnotized, in the darkness of a movie theatre? Ms. Williams does her own singing and dancing and she’s letter perfect. Who knew? And then everything about the legendary sex goddess comes alive, too—the breathless voice, the undulating poitrine, the tousled mop of bottle-blonde hair, the insecure body language that translated into control and power—as Ms. Williams grows into the role like new skin. The illusion grows on you, like a lichen. Scene by scene, she melts into the picture. By the end, she is no longer an imposter; she’s the real deal, inhabiting Marilyn’s body, mind, heart and soul.
…I truly love this film, and Michelle Williams’ triumph in it. There was only one Marilyn Monroe and nobody will ever duplicate her unique gifts, but this brave, hard-working actress shows the many contrasting moods of a complex woman with inexhaustible craft…
Something moved me deeply watching Michelle Williams as the tragic Marilyn, illuminating the girlish joy, erotic glamour and selfdestructive suffering of a public icon who was privately a bottomless pit of need. Whatever else you think of My Week with Marilyn, make no mistake about it—you know you have been to the movies.
“What I don’t like about Rex Reed is how harsh he is on movies most of us love. ”
You’re not kidding, Ryan. Some extracts of his critiques of movies he hated:
” None of this prattling drivel adds up to one iota of cogent or convincing
logic. You never know who anyone is, what their goals are, who they work
for or what they’re doing.” Inception
” Who goes to the movies for 104 minutes of punishment? Where is John
Wayne, now that we need him?” Meek’s Cutoff
” None of this is much fun to watch. The pace drags. The acting is without
contrast or color.” Crazy Stupid Love
” My reaction to everything that happens in 50/50 was “Why don’t they just
walk out?” But nobody did, so I did it for them.” 50/50
” As a movie, it has all the life of a boxed pink taffeta sample at Bergdorf that
never leaves the stockroom.” A Single Man
He did rave about a title I forget now that received a 17% on RT, though.
“What I don’t like about Rex Reed is how harsh he is on movies most of us love. ”
You’re not kidding, Ryan. Some extracts of his critiques of movies he hated:
” None of this prattling drivel adds up to one iota of cogent or convincing
logic. You never know who anyone is, what their goals are, who they work
for or what they’re doing.” Inception
” Who goes to the movies for 104 minutes of punishment? Where is John
Wayne, now that we need him?” Meek’s Cutoff
” None of this is much fun to watch. The pace drags. The acting is without
contrast or color.” Crazy Stupid Love
” My reaction to everything that happens in 50/50 was “Why don’t they just
walk out?” But nobody did, so I did it for them.” 50/50
” As a movie, it has all the life of a boxed pink taffeta sample at Bergdorf that
never leaves the stockroom.” A Single Man
He did rave about a title I forget now that received a 17% on RT, though.
Mileshigh, I think Kenneth Branagh is in like flint for his acid-etched, yet HIlariously funny Sir Laurence Olivier. Although he’s not in the contender tracker to our immediate right —>
He IS on Stu Van Airsdale’s Oscar Index on Movieline.
Mileshigh, I think Kenneth Branagh is in like flint for his acid-etched, yet HIlariously funny Sir Laurence Olivier. Although he’s not in the contender tracker to our immediate right —>
He IS on Stu Van Airsdale’s Oscar Index on Movieline.
I enjoyed “My Week With Marilyn” and Michele William’s performance tremendously. I’m surprised Kenneth Branagh isn’t receiving awards buzz. He did a good job and that supporting acting field is subpar. Also, I think older audiences will enjoy this movie the most which is Academy demo.
I enjoyed “My Week With Marilyn” and Michele William’s performance tremendously. I’m surprised Kenneth Branagh isn’t receiving awards buzz. He did a good job and that supporting acting field is subpar. Also, I think older audiences will enjoy this movie the most which is Academy demo.
Sure there isn’t a bad movie amongst those 4 star films, but the only one that could be reasonably argued as “brilliant” is Blue Valentine. And in any case, even a broken clock is right twice a day. He’s still atrocious.
Sure there isn’t a bad movie amongst those 4 star films, but the only one that could be reasonably argued as “brilliant” is Blue Valentine. And in any case, even a broken clock is right twice a day. He’s still atrocious.
Ryan posted and linked to this rave review of Rex’s because he and Sasha KNOW that Rex is speaking directly to THE ACADEMY VOTING MEMBERS. They all read him. They all know him. He’s in the age-range. He knows all of them…A review like this(which I TOTALLY AGREE with) means that the Academy Members will pack the screenings and pop the screeners into their DVDs first. It’s now a “Must See” for Academy Voting Members and I’ve been raving about this beautiful, funny, brilliantly acted and executed movie movie since I first saw it the NYFF.
I don’t know if it would WIN best picture, but a review like this could help get it enough of those #1 votes to get a nomination, and then Michelle Williams will be in a film that is nominated for the top award and she will win!
And Harvey W., the Oscar whisperer, knows this, too.
I don’t know how you can say it has come out of left field, when it was chosen as the centerpiece of the New York film festival! A VERY prestigious slot…
I hope everyone’s loves “My Week with Marilyn” as much as I do. And no, Rex is NOT exaggerating. It’s FAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAABulous. And Michelle Williams is sublime.
Other recent movies raved by Rex Reed
4-stars
100 – I Am Love
100 – Blue Valentine
100 – 127 Hours
100 – The King’s Speech
100 – The Illusionist
100 – Midnight in Paris
3 1/2 stars
88 – Moneyball
88 – Ides of March
What I don’t like about Rex Reed is how harsh he is on movies most of us love. (dozens and dozens of times I think he’s wrong about some truly great films.)
But it’s hard to argue with his assessment of most of the movies he thinks are brilliant.
Ryan posted and linked to this rave review of Rex’s because he and Sasha KNOW that Rex is speaking directly to THE ACADEMY VOTING MEMBERS. They all read him. They all know him. He’s in the age-range. He knows all of them…A review like this(which I TOTALLY AGREE with) means that the Academy Members will pack the screenings and pop the screeners into their DVDs first. It’s now a “Must See” for Academy Voting Members and I’ve been raving about this beautiful, funny, brilliantly acted and executed movie movie since I first saw it the NYFF.
I don’t know if it would WIN best picture, but a review like this could help get it enough of those #1 votes to get a nomination, and then Michelle Williams will be in a film that is nominated for the top award and she will win!
And Harvey W., the Oscar whisperer, knows this, too.
I don’t know how you can say it has come out of left field, when it was chosen as the centerpiece of the New York film festival! A VERY prestigious slot…
I hope everyone’s loves “My Week with Marilyn” as much as I do. And no, Rex is NOT exaggerating. It’s FAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAABulous. And Michelle Williams is sublime.
Other recent movies raved by Rex Reed
4-stars
100 – I Am Love
100 – Blue Valentine
100 – 127 Hours
100 – The King’s Speech
100 – The Illusionist
100 – Midnight in Paris
3 1/2 stars
88 – Moneyball
88 – Ides of March
What I don’t like about Rex Reed is how harsh he is on movies most of us love. (dozens and dozens of times I think he’s wrong about some truly great films.)
But it’s hard to argue with his assessment of most of the movies he thinks are brilliant.
“Rex Reed gave a film a POSITIVE review?! Did hell freeze over?”
I think it was the gin.
“Rex Reed gave a film a POSITIVE review?! Did hell freeze over?”
I think it was the gin.
wait…Rex Reed gave a film a POSITIVE review?! Did hell freeze over?
wait…Rex Reed gave a film a POSITIVE review?! Did hell freeze over?
My Week With Marilyn has 81% on Rotten Tomatoes
My Week With Marilyn has 81% on Rotten Tomatoes
Agreed with the above; a Rex Reed review, positive or negative, about any film, has no business being on this site.
Agreed with the above; a Rex Reed review, positive or negative, about any film, has no business being on this site.
Surprised that you’d print a link specifically to Rex Reed’s review. He may be raving about My Week with Marilyn more than any other major critic, but y’all can’t start posting links to every rave from every major critic for every film.
Although yes, y’all do post links to many. But I make it a point to never read any of Rex Reed’s reviews. They have a tendency to infuriate me!
Surprised that you’d print a link specifically to Rex Reed’s review. He may be raving about My Week with Marilyn more than any other major critic, but y’all can’t start posting links to every rave from every major critic for every film.
Although yes, y’all do post links to many. But I make it a point to never read any of Rex Reed’s reviews. They have a tendency to infuriate me!
I would like to hear Ebert, Turan, Corliss critique the film. I don’t care for Mr. Reed too much either.
I would like to hear Ebert, Turan, Corliss critique the film. I don’t care for Mr. Reed too much either.
i’m with steve50, james, matt h, phantom… this means nothing to me. i want the film to be good (i’m positive williams will be good) but i think i’m actually less excited for the film given reed’s praise. this guy is almost allergic to giving a good evaluation of a film… he’s as bad at his profession as anyone i can think of… if reed is heading one way a film it is usually a sign for me to head the opposite direction as fast as i can.
i’m with steve50, james, matt h, phantom… this means nothing to me. i want the film to be good (i’m positive williams will be good) but i think i’m actually less excited for the film given reed’s praise. this guy is almost allergic to giving a good evaluation of a film… he’s as bad at his profession as anyone i can think of… if reed is heading one way a film it is usually a sign for me to head the opposite direction as fast as i can.
And he didn’t like The Tree of Life, Black Swan, Super 8, either. It’s not that he can’t write whatever the hell he wants, he can, I just happen to disagree with him all the time. That’s why his reviews mean close to nothing to me.
And he didn’t like The Tree of Life, Black Swan, Super 8, either. It’s not that he can’t write whatever the hell he wants, he can, I just happen to disagree with him all the time. That’s why his reviews mean close to nothing to me.
As much as I would love the idea, that a critically acclaimed film backs up Michelle Williams’s remarkably promising campaign, I simply hate Rex Reed’s reviews : he trashed Margin Call, 50/50, Melancholia, Crazy Stupid Love, Hanna, Inception, True Grit, Meek’s Cutoff, Please give, Cyrus, Submarine.
Having said that, the film seems to be receiving better-than-expected reviews – though far from bp-reviews – so I guess if it delivers/overperforms BO-wise, with the extra Weinstein-push, it MIGHT have a shot at a bp-nod…MIGHT…
As much as I would love the idea, that a critically acclaimed film backs up Michelle Williams’s remarkably promising campaign, I simply hate Rex Reed’s reviews : he trashed Margin Call, 50/50, Melancholia, Crazy Stupid Love, Hanna, Inception, True Grit, Meek’s Cutoff, Please give, Cyrus, Submarine.
Having said that, the film seems to be receiving better-than-expected reviews – though far from bp-reviews – so I guess if it delivers/overperforms BO-wise, with the extra Weinstein-push, it MIGHT have a shot at a bp-nod…MIGHT…
Whatever one thinks of Rex Reed, mark my words-this is getting nominated for Best Picture.
Whatever one thinks of Rex Reed, mark my words-this is getting nominated for Best Picture.
Rex Reed is the worst. The worst.
Rex Reed is the worst. The worst.
I’m with Steve. Nice to see praise for the film, but other than Armond White, Rex Reed is about as bad as film critics get.
I’m with Steve. Nice to see praise for the film, but other than Armond White, Rex Reed is about as bad as film critics get.
Yeah, but Rex Reed? Not exactly near the pinnacle of film critics here – lots of hyperbole and not much substance.
“Whatever else you think of My Week with Marilyn, make no mistake about it—you know you have been to the movies.”
…and wtf does that mean?
Yeah, but Rex Reed? Not exactly near the pinnacle of film critics here – lots of hyperbole and not much substance.
“Whatever else you think of My Week with Marilyn, make no mistake about it—you know you have been to the movies.”
…and wtf does that mean?
Hmm, could this be one of those out of left field nominees that emerges every now and then? (actually there seems to be at least one just about every year doesn’t there?) It’s sitting at 85 on the BFCA site right now which puts it just barely in contention.
Hmm, could this be one of those out of left field nominees that emerges every now and then? (actually there seems to be at least one just about every year doesn’t there?) It’s sitting at 85 on the BFCA site right now which puts it just barely in contention.