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Active communal learning and the mystery of how doing things together can be more than the sum of its parts. What makes a great review? We kicked it around, went to see something, and reviewed it…. together. 

We met in a café with the space and outlook to encourage this sort of thing, and in return we bought pots of tea. Then we went out, saw what we saw, talked, argued, discussed, and had a laugh. Then next week back in the café the writers read out their reviews, and everyone reviewed the review.

This is a review of a recently released film, written by a member of the group, Siobhan Twomey:

My Week With Marilyn (15) (Simon Curtis, 2011)

Marketed officially as “The true story behind the secret relationship between Marilyn Monroe and Colin Clark”, My Week With Marilyn is based on the book of the same title by Colin Clark, the well-connected, if lowly 3^rd Assistant Director on the film production of The Prince and the Showgirl. The original film was shot in 1956, and was hoped to provide Hollywood glamour to Laurence Olivier’s career and acting credibility for Monroe. 

It is the story of how the world’s most beautiful, vulnerable star found the only trustworthy person on set to be the the boyish 23-year old set runner, who worked directly for Olivier.  With her was new husband, famous playwright Arthur Miller, who left early into the shoot even though it was also their honeymoon. Her entourage also consisted of her acting coach Paula Strasberg, and her business manager Milton H. Greene, both to keep the famously, unreliable star on task, one through constant flattery, the other, through a constant drugs supply. Then there was Olivier, whose patronising and impatient treatment of his co-star meant poor Marilyn really had no truthful person to turn to.  Step in our young hero to rescue the distressed damsel.  And so, (as Clark himself called it) the ‘fairy story’ begins.  He gets to spend time with her in her house, on a trip to Windsor Castle, to his old school Eton and an impromptu swim in the rural river Thames which ended with a kiss. He even ended up sleeping in her bed with her, but an honourable gentleman to the last, he did not take advantage of his beautiful, married friend.

Whether the viewer believes that the details of this story are true, the film is nonetheless amusing and it is enjoyable watching a smitten, young man drawn in by this fabulous star into improbable situations.  The leading roles are played out plausibly by Michelle Williams (Marilyn), Eddie Redmayne (Colin) and Kenneth Branagh (Olivier).  Williams displays the essence of Monroe’s disjuncture between being an insecure human being and the dumb blonde persona grafted on to her by whispering to Colin when a small crowd gathers “Shall I be her?” “Who?” he puzzles, “Marilyn” and she launches into the giggly, flirtatious character she is famous for at the gates of Windsor Castle.  Marilyn Monroe, the brand is intact and she has inspired many followers from Debbie Harry to Madonna as well as countless fancy dress and drag queen portrayals.  Marilyn Monroe, the enigma still remains, as does the belief in the cult of the celebrity – the difference is now it is shamelessly accepted that talent is not a pre-requisite in the pursuit of fame and fortune.

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