My Week with Marilyn

In a much-buzzed about portrayal of Hollywood’s most famous sex symbol, Michelle Williams shines stepping into the shoes of Marilyn Monroe. Set during the filming of “The Prince and the Showgirl”, the film follows the story of Colin (Eddie Redmayne), a young Brit looking for a life working in the movies. He befriends Monroe, and a romance ensues (during her marriage to Arthur Miller no less). Monroe struggles with her lines on the set, much to the frustration of the cast and crew (including Laurence Olivier, played by Kenneth Branagh). As the romance continues Colin chooses to ignore the advice of others that she will only break his heart in the end. The film offers a fascinating look into the off-camera life that Monroe suffered through, and Williams has undoubtedly captured the spirit of Monroe, despite a lack of resemblance between the two. Despite the material, the film drags a bit and doesn’t exactly offer a happy ending (though we knew that going in, didn’t we?). The film also stars Judi Dench and Emma Watson. Williams won the Golden Globe for Best Actress- Comedy, and has received her third Oscar nomination for the role. The film also garnered an Oscar nomination for Branagh. 6 out of 10 stars.

J. Edgar

If nothing else, ‘J. Edgar’ serves as a wonderful history lesson, bringing the audience through several decades of the 20^th Century, and bringing us into the world of J. Edgar Hoover and his days as the head of the FBI. This exceptional biopic travels back and forth between Hoover’s work, and his private life. Raised by a mother with some seriously intense standards (Judi Dench), Edgar learns to be a hard worker and suppress his inner desires. His work brought him both acclaim and criticism, but his creation of the centralized fingerprint file helped solidify him as one of the most respected names in government law enforcement. Though the film follows several events, including the missing Lindbergh baby and the days of the gangsters and public enemies, we are also introduced to Clyde Tolson played by Arnie Hammer, who works for Edgar and the two form a lifelong bond that neither ever mention, nor do they need to. With incredible aging makeup, a well-written script, two exceptionally talented actors, and the direction of Clint Eastwood, the film truly emerges as one of the year’s best. 7 out of 10 stars.

On Golden Pond (1981)

Two of Hollywood’s great Golden Age actors won the Academy Awards for Best Actor and Actress for their touching portrayals of an elderly couple struggling to cope with their slower bodies, and in the case of Norman (Henry Fonda), a slower mind. Ethel (Katharine Hepburn) does her best to keep her husband happy, and displays a saint-like patience when it comes to his frustrations with aging. When the two head to Golden Pond for a summer trip, they are visited by their daughter Chelsea (Jane Fonda), along with her fiancé and his son. Norman must come to terms with his age when Chelsea asks him and Ethel to take in her fiancé’s son Billy while she and her fiancé travel to Europe. Through spending time with Billy, Norman learns to enjoy life again and finds the desire to improve his relationship with his distant daughter. The film wouldn’t have been as poignant and beautiful without the charm of Katharine Hepburn, or the real-life father-daughter relationship of Henry and Jane Fonda. This one will leave you feeling more hopeful about life, and less terrified about the inevitability of age. 8 out of 10 stars.

The Iron Lady

With a character as well known as Margaret Thatcher, casting a non-British actress would seem out of the question, unless of course you cast Meryl Streep. ‘The Iron Lady’ is driven solely by the powerhouse performance from one of the greatest living actresses. The film travels a bit arbitrarily through the life of Great Britain’s only female Prime Minister, from early days of being elected to Parliament to her older years when Thatcher began showing signs of dementia. Streep faced the challenge of portraying Thatcher before she adopted her commanding voice, as well as playing Thatcher while she suffered from dementia, often having conversations with her dead husband (played by Jim Broadbent in a bit of a lackluster portrayal.). The film is surprisingly intense, with several bombings and war-related situations that leave you wondering how Thatcher could have possibly handled it all. For the sake of brevity, I will simply say that Streep has completely outdone herself. Already winning the Golden Globe for Best Actress- Drama, Streep is also up for her record 17^th Oscar nomination. 8 out of 10 stars.