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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
    Breezy, nostalgic celebration of film and theater and one of the most dynamic figures to impact them
    The career of Richard Linklater has proved one of the most delightfully eclectic in the film industry, veering between works as diverse as teenage subculture films (Dazed and Confused) to philosophical romances (Before Sunrise) to drug-addled paranoid thrillers (A Scanner Darkly) to mainstream comedies (School of Rock). But even with such a varied body of work, it is difficult to deny Linklater's latest still seeming somewhat of an anomaly: a lighthearted period piece examining the timeless figure of Orson Welles, making his name through a 1930s theater production of Julius Ceasar still seems an odd about face even for such a versatile director. And yet it is somewhat fitting that such a whimsically talented modern director should examine one of cinema's most legendary mavericks as Linklater's latest, Me and Orson Welles is a charming addition to his body of work, a breezy, self- reflexive yet nostalgic celebration of the mediums of performance as experienced alongside one of the most dynamic and influential figures ever to impact them.

    The agile script ably captures the conflicting clashes of the behemoth of a personality that was Orson Welles, from the explosive temper tantrums to the slyly manipulative charm to the casual womanizing, painting a vivid (but likely not larger than life) portrait of the man without either romanticizing or demonising him. It is ultimately the presence of the titular character which rescues the film from becoming yet another "cast rehearsing a play" film, as the dynamo of Welles tearing through the film at all the least expected moments creates a sporadic force of havok keeping the film continually off kilter, preventing it from descending into cliché and keeping it consistently interesting as consequence. While the story's lightness of touch does make some of the plot points either overly obvious or unbelievable, a film so unassumingly enjoyable fails to evoke much complaint - whether dabbling in the dramatic or the comedic, Me and Orson Welles remains refreshingly cheerful and earnest, and all the better for it. Completing the package, Linklater's rare tackling of a period piece demonstrates his typically astute ability to capture the feel and flavour of the times, with the earnest ambition of the 1930s well complimented by subtly stylish sets and costumes while simultaneously avoiding beating the audience over the head with more overt details of the time (instead of the potential hackneyed Nazi allusions, Linklater includes merely a brief radio snippet which is quickly cut off, a classy and subtle inclusion).

    Undergoing a difficult transition from teenage heartthrob to dramatic lead, Zac Efron gives a surprisingly solid performance as the idealistic young actor swept into the wild world of Welles, convincingly contributing charm, comedy and genuine sympathy to the emotional centerpoint of the film. However, given the title, it isn't difficult to imagine the inevitable highlight of the show, and true enough, as the infamous Welles, British stage actor Christian McKay doesn't so much steal scenes as seize and throttle them, exploding on screen with the same engrossing bluster that only the real Welles himself could conjure up. Blending the conflicting elements of an indisputably difficult character as easily as he nails the trademark voice and appearance, McKay's Welles alternates between devilish charmer and explosive force to be feared, shaking up the film with similar vigour and nuanced genius - one of the most impressive cinematic debuts in recent memory. Claire Danes is also on top form as a good hearted but endlessly ambitious member of Welles' company, and Ben Chaplin and James Tupper are endearing presences as eccentric members of Welles' calamitous company.

    As unconventional a project as it may be, Me and Orson Welles remains one of the most unashamedly lighthearted and enjoyable forays into nostalgia in many a year, breezily blending the serious with the silly while never skimping on historical fact. The addition of McKay's brilliantly combustive Welles make the theatrical rehearsal sequences a joy to behold instead of drearily formulaic, making Linklater's latest film a charm to behold for even the most cynical of audiences.

    -8/10
    helpful•93
    16
    • pyrocitor
    • Sep 5, 2008

    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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