“Me and Orson Welles,” a coming-of-age dramedy starring Zac Efron in a role that’s quite different from his High School Musical series, is set against the background of Orson Welles’ famous fascist-themed 1937 stage production of Julius Caesar. Efron plays Richard Samuels, one of two fictional characters in a book by Robert Kaplow, and it is through Richard’s eyes that we venture into the world of New York theater. At 17, Richard accidentally meets the then 22-year-old genius, wins a small role in the play, gets seduced by an ambitious assistant, Sonja (Claire Danes), the other fictional character, and becomes enthralled by everything theatrical. The emotional punch comes from the way the callous Welles first wins Richard with soft words of praise and camaraderie and then ultimately betrays him.
“Me and Orson Welles, directed by Richard Linklater, belongs wholly to British actor Christian McKay, who tears up the screen as the young, egocentric Welles. Welles’ broadcast of H.G. Wells’ The War of the Worlds is a year away, Citizen Kane four years. But the married Welles has multiple mistresses and is unfazed about holding the entire cast hostage to his whims. And instead of a limousine, Welles rides in an ambulance (with sirens) because it’s the easiest way to get through traffic. Although McKay might not look 22, he portrays Welles so completely that we believe this is a man who will change radio, theater and film. Zac Efron is okay as Richard, but he’s not the reason to see this movie. 12/1/09
1 comment:
Having just seen this film I really enjoyed it. Christian McKay does a superb job as the egotistical Orson Welles and dominates the screen as the tyrannical Welles. I hope that a lot of people get to see this sophisticated drama, it is enjoyable.
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