“De-Lovely” is a musical biopic about the life and career of famed composer Cole Porter (1891-1964). Director Irwin Winkler (“Life as a House” 2001) put together a film with mediocre performances by the cast as well as spotty and inconsistent production values. For instance, the numerous Cole Porter songs were mostly performed in the style of the early 21st Century, in sloppy fashion by contemporary artists.
The cast includes Kevin Kline as Porter, Ashley Judd as his wife Linda, Jonathan Pryce as the Angel Gabriel, Peter Polycarpou as Louis B. Mayer, Keith Allan as Irving Berlin, and Caroline O’Connor as Ethel Merman. Co-stars include Kevin McNally, Sandra Nelson, Allan Corduner, James Wilby, Kevin McKidd, Richard Dillane, John Barrowman, Peter Jessop, and Lara Fabian.
The soundtrack is loaded with terrible performances of Cole Porter songs by Alanis Morissette, Sheryl Crowe, Elvis Costello, Robbie Williams, Ashley Judd, and Lemar. A few good renditions of Porter music were done by Natalie Cole, Diana Krall, and Caroline O’Connor. An outstanding group performance of “Be a Clown” was delivered by Kline as Porter, Polycarpou as L. B. Mayer, and a chorus.
“De-Lovely” barely made money at the box office for producer Irwin Winkler, Winkler Films, and Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer. A much superior version of Cole Porter’s life was released in 1946 called “Night and Day” starring Cary Grant and Jane Wyman.
De-Lovely (2004)
cinema
My Review
“De-Lovely” is a musical biopic about the life and career of famed composer Cole Porter (1891-1964). Director Irwin Winkler (“Life as a House” 2001) put together a film with mediocre performances by the cast as well as spotty and inconsistent production values. For instance, the numerous Cole Porter songs were mostly performed in the style of the early 21st Century, in sloppy fashion by contemporary artists.
The cast includes Kevin Kline as Porter, Ashley Judd as his wife Linda, Jonathan Pryce as the Angel Gabriel, Peter Polycarpou as Louis B. Mayer, Keith Allan as Irving Berlin, and Caroline O’Connor as Ethel Merman. Co-stars include Kevin McNally, Sandra Nelson, Allan Corduner, James Wilby, Kevin McKidd, Richard Dillane, John Barrowman, Peter Jessop, and Lara Fabian.
The soundtrack is loaded with terrible performances of Cole Porter songs by Alanis Morissette, Sheryl Crowe, Elvis Costello, Robbie Williams, Ashley Judd, and Lemar. A few good renditions of Porter music were done by Natalie Cole, Diana Krall, and Caroline O’Connor. An outstanding group performance of “Be a Clown” was delivered by Kline as Porter, Polycarpou as L. B. Mayer, and a chorus.
“De-Lovely” barely made money at the box office for producer Irwin Winkler, Winkler Films, and Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer. A much superior version of Cole Porter’s life was released in 1946 called “Night and Day” starring Cary Grant and Jane Wyman.