Director: Richard Linklater
Starring: Zac Efron, Christian McKay & Claire Danes
A likeable period drama that captures the period and environment of the stage at the time with an impressive performance from Christian McKay as Welles.
Orson Welles, infamous in film and on stage as a visionary performer and producer whose ego matched his ambition, has been played on screen many times before in films such as Cradle Will Rock and RKO 281, but his latest depiction on screen is possibly the best yet. Me and Orson Welles, despite starring teen heart-throb Zac Efron (of the High School Musical film series), will be most memorable for the performance of Christian McKay as Welles who captures the look and attitude of Welles impressively. The film itself is quite enjoyable, if conventional in it’s plotting, but will be most enjoyed for Orson Welles.
It is 1937 New York and teenager, Richard (Efron), has ambitions of becoming an actor. When out of school and trying to get roles on stage he is cast, by chance, in a small role in part of Orson Welles’ (McKay) stage adaptation of Julius Caesar. Finding himself awestruck by the presence of Welles and hitting it off with the theatre’s production assistant Sonja (Danes), Richard soon finds that in between moments of greatness, Welles is also spiteful and egotistical with Richard’s youthful ambitions challenged by the legendary performer.
Me and Orson Welles is a perfectly likeable film. Despite their flaws, the characters portrayed with whether fictional, like Richard, or based on real life figures like Joe Cotton and Norman Lloyd, are all portrayed as being warm and friendly most of the time. Even Orson Welles, whose temper was as infamous as his charm, is never portrayed as too much of a monster despite his many outbursts but then this helps with the film’s charm. The audience, like the character of Richard and Welles’ many fellows, are supposed to won over by Welles’ genius and charm in spite of his faults and in this, the film succeeds. However, the constant charm on display does serve to allow the director, Richard Linklater, to serve up some bittersweet moments of reality such as Richard’s realisation of what Sonja would be willing to do to succeed in the theatre/film business and ultimately discovering Welles’ vindictiveness first hand towards the film’s conclusion. As likeable as the film is, and as effective as some moments are, and as exciting the portrayal of life on stage appears, the plot itself does follow a rather predictable course though.
While Zac Efron, the star of the popular High School Musical film series, is billed as the star of Me and Orson Welles, and his character is the lead character, the most memorable performance is that of Christian McKay as Orson Welles himself. It seems oddly fitting that, while a supporting role, McKay’s performance dominates the film much like the real Orson Welles dominated any stage, film or radio project he was involved in. While not only looking the part, McKay’s performance is very impressive and not merely a caricature of Orson Welles, he has many opportunities to play the character in quieter, out of the spotlight, scenes and still impresses. Compared to McKay, Efron leaves less of an impression. Playing a more reserved character than the roles he’s performed recently, Efron is perfectly decent at making Richard’s naivety believable but it is difficult to recall moments where he really impresses. The same can be said for Claire Danes as Sonja. Several bit parts in the film are memorable though such as James Tupper and Leo Bill as actors Joe Cotton and Norman Lloyd, and Eddie Marsan as manage John Houseman.
Overall, the plot might not be too impressive and Efron and Danes are decent though not memorable, but Me and Orson Welles is still an enjoyable film thanks to the excitement of the stage, which is portrayed well, and an excellent performance from Christian McKay as Orson Welles.
Rating: 3/5
