Me And Orson Welles

Director: Richard Linklater
Writers: Holly Palmo, Vincent Palmo, Robert Kaplow (novel)
Starring: Zac Efron, Christian Mckay, Claire Danes
Release Date: December 4, 2009
Length: 1 hour 47 minutes

Director Richard Linklater (Before Sunset) takes on a unique, simple story about a young man who has been just been cast in a play, directed by one of theatre’s biggest legends of all time in 1937. Richard (Zac Efron) is still in High School and finds a rare opportunity in Manhattan when he meets the great Orson Welles (Christian Mckay) and Welles casts him in his next big Mercury Production, Julius Caesar. While working, Richard meets the breathtaking, older Sonya Jones (Claire Danes), who takes an interest in him. At the age of only 17, this could be Richard’s big break in Show Biz but he might not be prepared for the stressful and life-awakening experience about to be thrown his way. There was no question that British actor Christian Mckay won me over for this film the minute he appeared on screen. His presence and persona as Orson Welles was completely captivating even when he didn’t speak. From the voice, to the walk, I believed him as Orson Welles the whole time. With Mckay’s incredible performance, you would think an actor as young and small as Zac Efron wouldn’t be able to hold his ground. Efron surprisingly surpassed that expectation, with no problem. This is Zac Efron’s first film that isn’t completely intended for a teenage girl audience, although many will see it just because he is in it. Efron has proven to be a mature, fine actor. As he get’s older, better scripts will be heading his way and he might prove to be a great actor, past his good looks. The charming Claire Danes pops up in a great film every once in a while like Stardust and Evening. She is intriguing to watch on screen and she seems to know how to pick the roles.  Me and Orson Welles is a wonderful depiction of theatre and show biz in the 1930’s. This film captures Orson Welles beautifully, and especially because the film isn’t in his perspective either. With an enjoyable script, a great director and a solid cast, Me and Orson Welles won me over in a heartbeat.