Afouotos Although it has its amusing moments, in eneral the plot does not convince.

filippaberry84 I think this is a new genre that they're all sort of working their way through it and haven't got all the kinks worked out yet but it's a genre that works for me.

Yash Wade Close shines in drama with strong language, adult themes.

Cristal The movie really just wants to entertain people.

GusF Laurence Olivier's fourth film as a director and his first such non- Shakespearean film, it is based on the play "The Sleeping Prince" by Terence Rattigan. Olivier reprises his role as Prince Charles, Regent of Carpathia from the stage version while his then wife Vivien Leigh was replaced in the role of the actress Elsie Marina by Marilyn Monroe.While the prince grows more fond of the showgirl as the film goes on, the same could hardly be said of the actors off-screen. As is well known, Olivier had an extremely poor working relationship with Marilyn Monroe, who according to Jean Kent often arrived on set very late and "appeared dirty and dishevelled." Olivier himself allegedly described her as a "professional amateur." Kent also claimed that Wattis took "to drink because takes had to be done so many times" and the whole experience aged Olivier by 15 years. It is also rumoured to be the reason that Olivier practically gave up film directing, making only "Three Sisters" after this.Olivier is excellent as the stiff, pompous regent, who starts out as the archetypal German or Eastern European leader of the early 20th Century before gradually softening because of his relationship with Elsie. Let's be honest, Marilyn Monroe was a great film star but not a great actress. She is quite good but she thoroughly outacted by Olivier, Sybil Thorndike and Richard Wattis. I thought that she was miscast, frankly. She and Olivier are hardly a natural fit, are they? Perhaps reflecting the behind the scenes turmoil, her chemistry with Olivier is variable, occasionally excellent - particularly in the final scene - but mostly isn't up to scratch. The rest of the cast is very good, especially Sybil Thorndike (whose brother Russell appeared in all three of Olivier's Shakespearean films), Richard Wattis (as in the "St. Trinian's" films, playing a put-upon civil servant to perfection but in a completely different way), Esmond Knight (who likewise appeared in "Henry V", "Hamlet" and "Richard III"), Jeremy Spenser and Maxine Audley.While neither his acting nor directing are on the same level as in "Henry V" and "Hamlet", I thought that he did much better in both capacities here than in "Richard III". I think that the major problem with the film, however, is the pacing of the script. It moves far too slowly, particularly in the first hour. It doesn't translate from stage to screen as well as it could. I think that this was due to the fact that the screenplay was written by Rattigan himself. In his Shakespearean films, Olivier demonstrated that he was not afraid to trim and cut scenes or even excise major characters for the benefit of the film and I think that he should have been allowed to use his scissors on this one. It's about 20 to 25 minutes longer than it needs to be.In spite of these criticisms, however, it's a charming and often very witty film which looks beautiful and has great characterisation for the Regent. It also has some nice social commentary on early 20th Century politics, some of which is still applicable today.

leplatypus I picked this movie to find a late Marilyn's movie as well as British flavor. On those two points, it's OK : Marilyn is convincing with her tough character to play and the movie is rich in royal pump and London places. It's funny to see how special effects were done 60 years ago. Sure, they are not transparent but they are as poetic and as useful as today ! As it's the first time i watch him, Olivier seems to be a competent actor and a honest filmmaker as the movie scratches the so- pure and divine royals : in fact, the regent wants escort girls, the queen is close to being senile. However, as a director, he fails to give a soul, a rhythm to this movie. Yes it was hard as the original material is a play but unlike « 7 years itch », this one doesn't take off the boards : the scenes are long, endless, the speeches are long, endless, the stages are poorly limited as it happens mainly inside the embassy. So it's really like a filmed play whose story is rather poor and unidimensional and i recall only two scenes that shows what a movie is about: 1) Marilyn's wake-up with the British grenadiers (the same that was in « Empire of the sun ») and Marilyn's dream in the church during the coronation !

tavm So now after several weeks having previously watched My Week with Marilyn, I finally got to watch the movie that was showcased in that partial bio-pic: The Prince and the Showgirl. Laurence Olivier plays The Regent and Ms. Monroe played Elsie, the American stage performer who enchants him. To tell the truth, I thought the dialogue went a little fast for me to truly understand what was going on but as the picture kept going on, I did find some of each of the leading performances quite funny and charming especially Monroe's. And Dame Sybil Thorndike as The Queen Dowager was also quite amusing in her exchanges with Marilyn especially when Ms. Thorndike mistakenly thought she knew French! So on summary, I thought The Prince and the Showgirl pretty good as a romantic comedy of the time with Monroe at her most charming and Olivier's direction also taking it's own sweet time near the end when the coronation scenes were being depicted.

Armand the key is cast. behind a dusty story, charming in this way, behind references to a fake Romania ( Carpathia ), behind old fashion details, the essence, axis and seductive seal is the cast. Laurence Olivier, Marilyn Monroe, Sybil Thorndike are the anchor of a movie that could become a light comedy among many others. sure, Marilyn is amazing and Sir Olivier precise but, after years, important is more than acting and atmosphere.Therefore, I believe, it is not a bad idea to watch the recent A week with Marilyn after the after enjoyment with Prince and showgirl. not for shooting details, not for good picture of actors but for a more profound taste . because this film is part of a chain. and the meeting between two great/interesting creators, very different, very strange, is more than sentimental adventure. sure, Marilyn Monroe is a extraordinary flame and Laurence Olivier is master of a perfect character but that is a small part of all. because , after years, this film is key of worlds.