Review of Me and Orson Welles (2008) by Michael M — 22 Oct 2010

Once in a great while there comes a movie so wonderful that you wish everyone you know could see it.

This isn't it.

Part bio-pic, part fiction, the ME in this movie is Zac Efron: lovely to look at but as shallow as a puddle in front of a limousine. The limousine would be Orson Welles whose decision to stage a modern dress production of JULIUS CAESAR on Broadway in 1937 is the real story here. Christian McKay has the ring of truth as the wunderkind director and the back-story is never less than interesting, especially for those raised on KANE. But the screenplay does little with Efron or his love interest (also fictionalized) played by Claire Danes. Best to see this as a double feature with CRADLE WILL ROCK (also part bio-, part fiction) which chronicles the Mercury Theatre's next production in 1938. Now there's a story for ya.