Review of De-Lovely (2004) by Slim P — 06 Jan 2005

DIAGNOSIS: Stale but Melodic.

Biographical films are hard. Most cover a long expanse of time. Mostly, filmmakers who make biopics just paddle over the surface of events, giving their audience a breezy overview of their subject's life. This approach doesn't really work for me, since when I go to see movies, I want to get as internal a perspective on a character as possible.

De-Lovely was no exception to the Cliff Notes type of narrative that I've seen with other Biographical movies. Usually what saves these other bio films is that there's something within the narrative compelling enough to get my attention. Not so much with De-Lovely. The filmmakers tell their story about Cole Porter, who according to this film, spent a good chunk of his life just floating by-and-by, indulging (as so many of the character's in the film point out) in all the luxuries that everyone around Porter showers him with.

What is interesting about the film, and probably what attracted whoever initialized the whole project, was Porter's relationship with his wife, played by Ashley Judd. Most of the film is spent focusing on their relationship and, for the most part, it takes as much of easy breezy butterknife approach to the subject as it does with everything else in Porter's easy breezy life.

Now, maybe the paralellism between Porter's life and the narrative tone is just an example of tone following subject material, and is therefore warranted. Perhaps the problem lies in my personal bias. I don't particularly care for people or stories who revolve around gliding ignorantly through life until tragedy comes and rears its ugly head. That is what De-Lovely is about and what ultimately detracts from its loveliness. Most of that loveliness being that atleast the movie moves, has interesting cameos, and good actors. If you want a little background piano music in your home, go rent De-Lovely.

P.s. Having watched De-Lovely, I'm somewhat curious about Night and Day (maybe it's Day and Night) the other film about a piece of Porter's life, Porter in that film is portrayed by Cary Grant.