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Richard Samuels (Zac Efron) is a 17-year old kid from New Jersey. He’s bored of school and dreams of making it big in the dazzling world of the New York theatre. His dreams are realised when he meets a youthful Orson Welles (Christian McKay) and lucks a place in his legendary production of Julius Caesar. Over the course of a magical week, Richard makes his Broadway debut, finds romance, and experiences the dark side of genius after daring to cross the brilliant Welles. Richard has to grow up fast...
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10 of 10 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
This is a little gem of a film - based on Robert Kaplow`s fictionalised account of the landmark 1937 Mercury Theatre production of Julius Caesar directed by Orson Welles.
Christian McKay gives an entirely credible performance as Welles and the re-creation of the production itself is marvellously evocative; at the time the play caused quite a stir with its contemporary anti-fascist message and bold design. Clearly a great deal of time and research was spent on getting the details right - even the actors playing Joseph Cotton and John Houseman bear a convincing resemblance to the real people.
The backstage story is entertaining and the cast is first rate; Efron acquits himself well and Danes plays her character - an ambitious, independently-minded production assistant - very convincingly, but make no mistake this is McKay`s film.
Much of the shooting was done in the UK and there was a lot of blue-screen work involved in re-creating 1930`s New York; the use of period swing music - lots of Goodman, Ellington and Dorsey - complete the feel of the times. Look out for the night-club scene; that's Jools Holland at the piano, backing up singer Eddi Reader - who also gives a lovely rendition of "I Surrender, Dear" right at the end of the closing credits!
Extras on the disc include some deleted scenes, a 12min. summation of the Caesar play scenes, two featurettes - "The making of..." and "The real Orson Welles" and a Q&A session with the cast and director.
This is a very underrated film and director Richard Linklater has really pulled out a winner; well worth your time if you enjoy theatre and the theatrical, a good story, or are just interested in Welles.
At the time of writing this review the DVD is available at a good price; don`t miss it.
Christian McKay gives an entirely credible performance as Welles and the re-creation of the production itself is marvellously evocative; at the time the play caused quite a stir with its contemporary anti-fascist message and bold design. Clearly a great deal of time and research was spent on getting the details right - even the actors playing Joseph Cotton and John Houseman bear a convincing resemblance to the real people.
The backstage story is entertaining and the cast is first rate; Efron acquits himself well and Danes plays her character - an ambitious, independently-minded production assistant - very convincingly, but make no mistake this is McKay`s film.
Much of the shooting was done in the UK and there was a lot of blue-screen work involved in re-creating 1930`s New York; the use of period swing music - lots of Goodman, Ellington and Dorsey - complete the feel of the times. Look out for the night-club scene; that's Jools Holland at the piano, backing up singer Eddi Reader - who also gives a lovely rendition of "I Surrender, Dear" right at the end of the closing credits!
Extras on the disc include some deleted scenes, a 12min. summation of the Caesar play scenes, two featurettes - "The making of..." and "The real Orson Welles" and a Q&A session with the cast and director.
This is a very underrated film and director Richard Linklater has really pulled out a winner; well worth your time if you enjoy theatre and the theatrical, a good story, or are just interested in Welles.
At the time of writing this review the DVD is available at a good price; don`t miss it.
9 of 9 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
An immensely entertaining film focussing on the rehersals for Welles legendary production of Julius Caesar in 1937. The story is told through the eyes of a fictional character, Richard Samuels, played beautifully by Zac Efron, a young man who lucks into the part of Lucius after encountering the Mercury Theatre Company, and Welles, in the street.
Both in form and in content there are strong echoes of "Shakespeare in Love", but with the startling originality of Christian McKay's performance as Welles, which captures Welle's genius, charm, ego, pettiness and ruthlessness in a seemingly effortless sweep. The movie is worth watching for this alone, but it also has much else to recommend it: a deeply entertaining behind the scenes account of the production of a great play; a touching portrait of a youthful affair between the lovely Clare Danes and Efron; and the great Eddie Marsden, who has over the years produced some memorable performances as terrifying characters, here playing the gentleman that was John Houseman.
The looming tragedy of World War 2 is underplayed in favour of a sense of youthful hope in the spite of the encroaching fear and disappointment: even the worst circumstances are replete with possibilities as Efron's character ultimately learns.
Both in form and in content there are strong echoes of "Shakespeare in Love", but with the startling originality of Christian McKay's performance as Welles, which captures Welle's genius, charm, ego, pettiness and ruthlessness in a seemingly effortless sweep. The movie is worth watching for this alone, but it also has much else to recommend it: a deeply entertaining behind the scenes account of the production of a great play; a touching portrait of a youthful affair between the lovely Clare Danes and Efron; and the great Eddie Marsden, who has over the years produced some memorable performances as terrifying characters, here playing the gentleman that was John Houseman.
The looming tragedy of World War 2 is underplayed in favour of a sense of youthful hope in the spite of the encroaching fear and disappointment: even the worst circumstances are replete with possibilities as Efron's character ultimately learns.
18 of 19 people found the following review helpful
By Katrina-UK
TOP 1000 REVIEWER
Format:DVD
Saw this at the cinema at the end of last year. Wrote a review (which Amazon have lost), so am now having to write another one! Yes its worth writing about... Let me start by being honest and saying if you're not really that interested in the theatre then you most probably will find this film boring. However if you are interested in the theatre or have tread the boards like myself, then you will probably thoroughly enjoy this. There is quite a bit of humour in this film, and it is definitely one I could watch again.
The story is based on Welles' earlier career when he directed in the theatre (prior to going to film). The year is 1937 and Welles is in the early stages of directing the Mercury Players in the production of Julius Caesar. A 17yr old high school kid (Zac Efron) chases an opportunity of a lifetime to make it as an actor by work with Welles in his performance at the Mercury Theatre. The rehearsals are not exactly going smoothly (technical hitches, hissy fits etc!) Along the way, the young man finds his first love - the Directors P.A (played by Claire Danes). Unfortunately for him, there is a more mature man on the scene, who always gets his way...
I studied Welles' career years ago at college and was so impressed with Christian McKay's 'first major role' performance as Orson Welles - he played him just as I imagined him to be! He even looked like him! (Although he was nominated, I was hugely disappointed that he didn't win a BAFTA - he deserved it!, and where was the Oscar nomination?!)
Zac Efron plays his character well in his first adult-oriented film role to date. Christian McKay steals the show though, and if anything, see this film for his superb acting.
The story is based on Welles' earlier career when he directed in the theatre (prior to going to film). The year is 1937 and Welles is in the early stages of directing the Mercury Players in the production of Julius Caesar. A 17yr old high school kid (Zac Efron) chases an opportunity of a lifetime to make it as an actor by work with Welles in his performance at the Mercury Theatre. The rehearsals are not exactly going smoothly (technical hitches, hissy fits etc!) Along the way, the young man finds his first love - the Directors P.A (played by Claire Danes). Unfortunately for him, there is a more mature man on the scene, who always gets his way...
I studied Welles' career years ago at college and was so impressed with Christian McKay's 'first major role' performance as Orson Welles - he played him just as I imagined him to be! He even looked like him! (Although he was nominated, I was hugely disappointed that he didn't win a BAFTA - he deserved it!, and where was the Oscar nomination?!)
Zac Efron plays his character well in his first adult-oriented film role to date. Christian McKay steals the show though, and if anything, see this film for his superb acting.
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3.7 out of 5 stars
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
me and orson wells dvd
this is a lovely period film zac effron is very good in this as a young actor well worth a watch
Published 2 months ago by Julie Dalton
3.0 out of 5 stars
A Good Job
I thought that Zac played is role well, It was reasonably entertaining, I like period dramas and was pleasantly please with the overall proformance. Read more
Published 2 months ago by Maggie
4.0 out of 5 stars
Zac Efron provs his worth
Orson Welles was an amazing actor, director and film maker. This bio pic (produced in the Isle of Man) is an amazing good old fashioned 'let's put on a play ' backstage tale with a... Read more
Published 15 months ago by Keith Winestein
5.0 out of 5 stars
Me And Orson Welles
Worth buying just to watch the spell binding performance by Christian McKay. His portrayal of Wells will never be surpassed....ever!!!
Published 15 months ago by Mr. Brian Nuttall
5.0 out of 5 stars
Deserves a wider audience...
When I heard that teenage heartthrob Zac Efron was going to star in Richard Linklater's film based on the novel by Robert Kaplow about a fledgling actor who gets his lucky break... Read more
Published 17 months ago by S. EXETER
3.0 out of 5 stars
McKay and Chaplin Shine!
This period drama set in 1937 is o.k but hardly great except for the excellent performance of McKay as Orson Welles and Ben Chaplin as the actor playing Marc Anthony in Orson... Read more
Published on 30 April 2011 by ekb
3.0 out of 5 stars
same old advert-made-it-look-so-much-better film
It's always tricky playing the part of a person who people have seen films of... Christopher McKay was going to be compared to Orson Welles in all respects. Read more
Published on 7 Nov 2010 by Lois
2.0 out of 5 stars
Boring
It is 1937, and high school senior Richard (Zac Efron) dreams of being an actor. A chance meeting with 22-year old Orson Welles (Christian McKay) results in a bit part in Welles'... Read more
Published on 15 Sep 2010 by Kona
4.0 out of 5 stars
In some ways a very, very good film
This is a film that on the whole I enjoyed. Nevertheless, it must be described as an unhappy mix of the brilliant and the dreary. Read more
Published on 10 Aug 2010 by L. E. Cantrell
4.0 out of 5 stars
indulgence
i have to admit that i bought this movie pureley cos i had just seen 17 again with Zac Efron, and im wanted to see just how versatile he can be and i wasn't dissapointed, th movie... Read more
Published on 2 Aug 2010 by O. P. Cullen
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