Me and Orson Welles

* *1/2 out of four stars

There is one true reason to see “Me and Orson Welles” and that is cinematic unknown Christian McKay, who plays the part of Orson Welles as if he was born doing it in his sleep. He’s so great on the screen that we really stop caring about everything else, and every moment he’s not there we miss him.

The story is based on a novel by Robert Kaplow and centers around a young boy named Richard (Zac Efron, “High School Musical”) who just happens to impress the great Welles one day with his musical abilities and knowledge of Shakespeare. He lands a part in the upcoming “Julius Caesar” right then and there, and is added to the ragtag team that makes up the Mercury Theatre.

Soon, he’s love-struck by secretary Sonja (Claire Danes, “Romeo + Juliet”) who will do anything to get ahead in show business. Despite the fact that she is an older woman and he isn’t even eighteen  yet, he makes an attempt to seduce her anyway.

There are a lot of colors here, plenty of smiles and laughter, but one can’t help but feel like they’re watching community theater. Director Richard Linklater (“Waking Life,” “A Scanner Darkly”) keeps the pace fast and the direction clean, but the whole feel seems fake. It feels too much like we’re watching people in costumes rather than the real thing.

But there is plenty here to maintain interest. The story is amusing enough, and as I said before McKay is so fantastic to watch. It’s a shame they couldn’t have centered the story around just Orson Welles. Then perhaps the film would have been more interesting.

The time is 1937. The place is New York City. The man is a young, pre-War-of-the- Worlds Orson Welles, who's staging his first production — Julius Caesar — at the Mercury Theater.

The Me in this delightful period dramady/coming of age movie is 17-year-old Richard Samuels, played by teen heartthrob Zac Efron, proving that he really can act.

Claire Danes is the love interest.

The movie is based on a book by Robert Kaplow, a bona fide Welles expert. And it shows. The movie works for the Movie Slut on so many levels. She enjoyed the profile of the larger-than-life, ego maniac as well as the Shakespearean play within the play, the glamorous 1930s wardrobe and the irresistible soundtrack. Gershwin galore.

See you at the movies, The Movie Slut

The year is 1937. While Hitler,Mussolini & Franco are terrorizing the citizens of Europe (and are in the planning stages of World War 2), a young,17 year old drama student,Richard Samuels (played by Zac Efron,of 'High School Musical'fame) has the opportunity of a lifetime to work along side theater wunderkind,Orson Welles (played here by a dead-on Christian McKay). Welles in the early stages of a production of Shakespere's 'Julias Ceasre'. Richard falls under the spell of not just Orson Welles,but being a part of the,then "new" Mercury Theater. We get to see what transpires during the pre-production of a play,including artistic temperament (Welles was known for not being the most easy person to work with,or for),star fits (hissy fits were the norm in the theater game),and other pain in the butt issues (technical quirks,run in's with producers,etc.). In the midst of all of this,Richard takes a fancy to Orson's personal assistant,Sonja Jones (played by Clare Danes). Other looming figures in the Mercury players include:George Coulouris (Ben Chaplin),and Joseph Cotton (James Tupper),who had roles in Welles' 'Citizen Kane'later down the road. Richard Linklater (Slacker,Suburbia,A Scanner Darkly,etc.)directs from a screenplay by Holly Gent Palmo,from the novel of the same name by Robert Kaplow,in what has to be some of the finest work he has turned in,in some years. The film's musical soundtrack crackles with 1930's period popular music & hot jazz of the era (the precursor to swing). Orson Welles is painted as an ego centric,self centered,potty mouthed genius that knew exactly what he wanted from himself & his ensemble of top notch professionals. This is smart,toothsome film making that may remind some of 'My Favorite Year',from some years back. Rated PG-13 by the MPAA,this film has pervasive raunchy language from the mouth of Welles,some adult content,and some smoking,and under age drinking.

Vincent Snavely