Me and Orson Welles [PG]

It’s the year 1937 and in the city of New York dwells a starry-eyed student named Richard who wants nothing more than to be a part of the entertainment industry, whether it be plays, music, film, or novels. Out of the blue, he is offered a role in Orson Welles’ production of Caesar and his life takes a dramatic turn. Struggling to keep up with Welles’ exacting standards, his eye falls on the beautiful assistant producer Sonja. But when Welles’ also notices Sonja’s charms, Richard learns a harsh lesson about life, love and the show business. 

Yes, I will admit that I hired this movie namely for Zac Efron. I am by no means a giggling and crazed fan girl, I just think it’s really wonderful that Zac is refusing to fall into the hole of typecasting. Zac proved that he was a genuinely talented actor in 17 Again and I think it’s really smart and perfect that he now broadens his horizons by taking on more challenging and artistic films such as this one. 

It’s the year 1937 and in the city of New York there lives a starry-eyed cultural student who’s dream it is to be a part of the entertainment industry, whether it be films, music, novels, or plays. Out of the blue, he is offered a role in Orson Welles’ production of Caesar and his life takes a sharp dramatic turn. Whilst struggling to keep up with Welles’ perfectionist views and exacting standards, his eye falls on the charming and beautiful assistant producer Sonja and romance begins to blossom. However, when Welles’ also notices Sonja’s beauty and charms, Richard learns some harsh lessons about life, love, and show business. 

This was a very cultured and artistic film, a rare and genuine gem in this otherwise egocentric and uncultured society that we live in today. It was actually more like a stage play than a film in that everything was broad and deeply inclusive. It really did feel that I was sitting in a seat in a theatre and not in my bed at 7am on a Friday morning. Having dappled in a tiny bit of stage performance myself, the feeling of sophistication and theatrical-ness (it’s now a word) was greatly welcomed and deeply appreciated. I can’t remember a film where I have felt that way, thank you everyone who worked on Me and Orson Welles! 

Zac Efron stars as Richard and he delivered a gorgeous performance. Stage performances are different to screen performances and I’m sure that when you’re doing a stage performance for a movie, it’s a whole other ballpark. Zac was charming and innocent to begin with, but as his character develops, he became self-assured and almost egocentric, all the while maintaining his charm. He truly is a rare gem, an incredibly talented actor. Of course, he sings in this film. A beautiful lullaby towards the end and it was positively mesmerising. 

Although Zac plays the leading man, the real star of the show was Christian McKay who plays Orson Welles. His performance, both offstage and on, was nothing short of brilliant. He was broad, articulate, and beautifully aggressive in his timing and his gestures. He played a grandiose part and looked and felt completely one with the stage. An absolutely mind-blowing performance. 

Starring Claire Danes, Eddie Marsan, Zoe Kazan, Ben Chaplin, Kelly Reilly, and Leo Bill, Me and Orson Welles was a work of artistic cinema genius that just radiates ripples of culture, sophistication, and subtle tragedy. A rare gem of a movie.