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IMDbPro

Me and Orson Welles

  • 20082008
  • PG-13PG-13
  • 1h 54m
IMDb RATING
6.7/10
11K
YOUR RATING
Me and Orson Welles (2008)
NYC, 1937: A week in the life of aspiring actor Richard Samuels (Efron), where he finds himself cast in Orson Welles' staging of Shakespeare's "Julius Caesar" and falling for an older woman (Danes).
Play trailer1:50
1 Video
96 Photos
  • Comedy
  • Drama
In 1937, a teenager is cast in the Mercury Theatre production of "Julius Caesar", directed by a young Orson Welles.In 1937, a teenager is cast in the Mercury Theatre production of "Julius Caesar", directed by a young Orson Welles.In 1937, a teenager is cast in the Mercury Theatre production of "Julius Caesar", directed by a young Orson Welles.
IMDb RATING
6.7/10
11K
YOUR RATING
  • Director
    • Richard Linklater
  • Writers
    • Robert Kaplow(based on the novel by)
    • Holly Gent(screenplay by)
    • Vincent Palmo Jr.(screenplay by)
  • Stars
    • Zac Efron
    • Claire Danes
    • Christian McKay
Top credits
  • Director
    • Richard Linklater
  • Writers
    • Robert Kaplow(based on the novel by)
    • Holly Gent(screenplay by)
    • Vincent Palmo Jr.(screenplay by)
  • Stars
    • Zac Efron
    • Claire Danes
    • Christian McKay
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 78User reviews
    • 162Critic reviews
    • 73Metascore
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Nominated for 1 BAFTA Award
      • 5 wins & 27 nominations total

    Videos1

    Me and Orson Welles: International Trailer
    Trailer 1:50
    Me and Orson Welles: International Trailer

    Photos96

    Christian McKay in Me and Orson Welles (2008)
    Zac Efron in Me and Orson Welles (2008)
    Claire Danes and Zac Efron in Me and Orson Welles (2008)
    Christian McKay in Me and Orson Welles (2008)
    Zac Efron in Me and Orson Welles (2008)
    Richard Linklater and Christian McKay in Me and Orson Welles (2008)
    Leo Bill, Patrick Kennedy, Zac Efron, and Christian McKay in Me and Orson Welles (2008)
    Claire Danes and Zac Efron in Me and Orson Welles (2008)
    Zac Efron and Christian McKay in Me and Orson Welles (2008)
    Kelly Reilly at an event for Me and Orson Welles (2008)
    Claire Danes and Richard Linklater at an event for Me and Orson Welles (2008)
    Claire Danes at an event for Me and Orson Welles (2008)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Zac Efron
    Zac Efron
    • Richard Samuelsas Richard Samuels
    Claire Danes
    Claire Danes
    • Sonja Jonesas Sonja Jones
    Christian McKay
    Christian McKay
    • Orson Wellesas Orson Welles
    Zoe Kazan
    Zoe Kazan
    • Gretta Adleras Gretta Adler
    Megan Maczko
    Megan Maczko
    • Evelyn Allenas Evelyn Allen
    Simon Lee Phillips
    Simon Lee Phillips
    • Walter Ashas Walter Ash
    Patrick Kennedy
    Patrick Kennedy
    • Grover Burgessas Grover Burgess
    Shane James Bordas
    • Conspiratoras Conspirator
    Alessandro Giuggioli
    Alessandro Giuggioli
    • Conspiratoras Conspirator
    Harry Macqueen
    Harry Macqueen
    • Conspiratoras Conspirator
    Rhodri Orders
    • Conspiratoras Conspirator
    James Tupper
    James Tupper
    • Joseph Cottenas Joseph Cotten
    Thomas Arnold
    Thomas Arnold
    • George Duthieas George Duthie
    Aidan McArdle
    Aidan McArdle
    • Martin Gabelas Martin Gabel
    Simon Nehan
    • Joe Hollandas Joe Holland
    Daniel Tuite
    Daniel Tuite
    • William Mowryas William Mowry
    Iain McKee
    Iain McKee
    • Vakhtangovas Vakhtangov
    Michael J. McEvoy
    Michael J. McEvoy
    • Epsteinas Epstein
    • Director
      • Richard Linklater
    • Writers
      • Robert Kaplow(based on the novel by)
      • Holly Gent(screenplay by)
      • Vincent Palmo Jr.(screenplay by)
    • All cast & crew
    • See more cast details at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      The real Norman Lloyd denounced the film, and pointed out that contrary to his portrayal as a lecher, he was a recently married man at the time. He did however concede that Christian McKay's performance as Welles was excellent.
    • Goofs
      Richard accompanies Orson to 485 Madison Ave (CBS) for a "recording session" for a radio show ("The First Nighter" program). At this time (1937) and until the late 40s network programs were broadcast live, never recorded. Most programs were produced live twice, once for the East Coast and three hours later from the West Cost.
    • Quotes

      Orson Welles: You really are a god created actor Richard. Those weren't just words you see. I recognize 'The Look'.

      Richard Samuels: The Look?

      Orson Welles: The bone deep understanding that your life is so utterly without meaning that simply to survive you have to reinvent yourself. Because if people can't find you, they can't dislike you. You see if I can be Brutus for 90 minutes tonight; I mean really be him, from the inside out; then for 90 minutes I get this miraculous reprieve from being myself. That's what you see in every great actor's eyes.

    • Crazy credits
      Gilson Lavis is listed as "Drumer" instead of "Drummer".
    • Connections
      Featured in Live from Studio Five: Episode #1.48 (2009)
    • Soundtracks
      This Year's Kisses
      Written by Irving Berlin

      (C) Irving Berlin Music Corp (ASCAP)

      All Rights Administered by Warner/Chappell Music Ltd.

      All Rights Reserved

      Performed by Helen Ward & Benny Goodman & His Orchestra

      Courtesy of Bluebird/Novus/RCA Victor

      By arrangement with Sony BMG Entertainment

    User reviews78

    Review
    Top review
    8/10
    Coming of age in a hurry
    Me and Orson Welles (2008), directed by Richard Linklater, is a fantasy about a fantastic event--the famed Mercury Theatre production of "Julius Caesar," directed by Orson Welles in 1937.

    In the 21st Century, setting Shakespeare's plays in modern dress has become a cliché. More than 70 years ago, however, Welles' production, with its clear references to fascism, was bold and daring. It made theater history, and propelled Welles into the limelight.

    Teen heartthrob Zac Efron plays Richard Samuels, who is chosen by Welles for the small role of Lucius in the production. Zoe Kazan plays Gretta Adler, a young woman whom Richard meets in the New York Public Library. Claire Danes is Sonja Jones, Welles' assistant, who is rising in the theater world through a combination of intelligence, beauty, devotion to Welles, and her willingness to get into bed with anyone who can help her career.

    Effron is outgoing and attractive, Kazan is shy and attractive, and Danes again shows why she was able to captivate TV audiences in "My So-Called Life," and then move on to immense Hollywood success. (Those who know "My So-Called Life" can recognize some of the interesting techniques that Danes developed then, and has since perfected.)

    The highest honors in the film, however, belong to Christian McKay, who portrays Welles, and who stars as Brutus in the production. He has an uncanny resemblance to Welles, and his acting in the movie captures the qualities for which Welles was famous--incredible talent and incredible egotism.

    Me and Orson Welles is not a truly great or classic film, but it's not fluff, and it's a perfect choice if you want to see an interesting movie about interesting people. The production values are very high, the sets capture New York City in the 1930's, and the acting is wonderful.

    We saw this movie on a hotel flat-screen TV . It would probably work better on a large screen, but the small screen version worked well enough. It's definitely a movie worth finding and seeing.
    helpful•14
    3
    • Red-125
    • Aug 6, 2010

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • December 18, 2009 (United States)
    • Countries of origin
      • United Kingdom
      • Isle of Man
      • United States
    • Official site
      • Official site
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Me & Orson Welles
    • Filming locations
      • Crystal Palace Park, Penge, London, England, UK
    • Production companies
      • CinemaNX
      • Isle of Man Film
      • Framestore
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $25,000,000 (estimated)
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $1,190,003
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $63,638
      • Nov 29, 2009
    • Gross worldwide
      • $2,336,172
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 54 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Dolby Digital
    • Aspect ratio
      • 2.35 : 1

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