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Movies / On DVD / De-Lovely
De-Lovely

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De-Lovely (2004)

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Reviews Counted:151

Fresh:74

Rotten:77

Average Rating:5.7/10

Consensus: Musical numbers save movie from cliches.

Runtime: 2 hrs 5 mins

Genre: Dramas

Synopsis: Directed by Irwin Winkler, DE-LOVELY depicts the life of the great American composer Cole Porter (Kevin Kline). Despite his sexual preference for men, Porter found inspiration and virtually... Directed by Irwin Winkler, DE-LOVELY depicts the life of the great American composer Cole Porter (Kevin Kline). Despite his sexual preference for men, Porter found inspiration and virtually unconditional love with Linda Lee (Ashley Judd). Told in flashback as Porter is near death, the film follows the Porters' fabulous, unconventional relationship from their meeting in Paris to their subsequent moves to Venice, New York, Hollywood, and Williamstown, as well as the many stops along the way. Kline perfectly captures the Porters' zest for life and seemingly inexhaustible need for love. Classic tunes such as "Let's Do It, Let's Fall in Love," "Let's Misbehave," and "Anything Goes" take on whole new meanings when considered in the context of Porter and Lee's life together. Contemporary musical performers, including Alanis Morissette, Natalie Cole, Robbie Williams, Elvis Costello, and Sheryl Crow, appear in the film singing Porter standards, a device that works surprisingly well. Judd holds her own as the devoted Linda, who gives her love to Porter and supports his musical ambitions while trying to overlook his homosexual affairs. Historians may debate the details of the Porters' relationship, but one thing is clear: DE-LOVELY dazzles with great music, period costumes, and fine performances. [More]

Starring: Kevin Kline, Ashley Judd, Jonathan Pryce, Keith Allen

Starring: Kevin Kline, Ashley Judd, Jonathan Pryce, Keith Allen, Natalie Cole, Angie Hill

Director: Irwin Winkler

Director: Irwin Winkler
Screenwriter: Jay Cocks
Producer: Irwin Winkler, Rob Cowan, Charles Winkler
Composer: Cole Porter
Studio: MGM/UA

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Reviews for De-Lovely

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1 - 20 (sorted by fresh rating; UK critics are listed first)
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There are enough glorious songs, energetically warbled by a host of modern pop stars, to keep us enthralled.

Full Review Source: BBC | comment Comment
09/14/04
Neil Smith
Neil Smith
BBC
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

Click to read the article

Full Review Source: Empire Magazine | comment Comment
04/01/06
Empire Magazine
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

It's very, very bad, and not even in a nice, campy Showgirls way.

Full Review Source: FilmFocus | comment Comment
10/06/04
Alexandra Sim-Wise
Alexandra Sim-Wise
FilmFocus

Click to read the article

Full Review Source: ViewLondon | comment Comment
10/06/04
Matthew Turner
Matthew Turner
ViewLondon

A misguided clunker that borders on being offensive.

Full Review Source: Shadows on the Wall | comment Comment
09/19/04
Rich Cline
Rich Cline
Shadows on the Wall
N/R

Click to read the article

Full Review Source: Time Out | comment Comment
06/24/06
Time Out
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

A host of classy musicians like Robbie Williams, Elvis Costello and Natalie Cole, who cover Porter's music to further the plot, are simply de-magical.

Full Review Source: E! Online | comment Comment
07/02/04
E! Online
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

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Full Review Source: Sunday Times (Australia) | comment Comment
11/08/04
Sunday Times (Australia)
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

De-senfrenada y de-lirante, de-liciosa en algunos momentos.

Full Review Source: Cinenganos | comment Comment
11/11/04
Alex Ramirez
Alex Ramirez
Cinenganos

If for no other reason (and there are assuredly other reasons), I recommend De-Lovely to my readers for its honorable role in opening another door to our ridiculously repressed past.

Full Review Source: New York Observer | comment Comment
07/09/04
Andrew Sarris
Andrew Sarris
New York Observer

Functions beautifully from the context in which many of his songs are presented.

Full Review Source: Sympatico.ca | comment Comment
07/19/04
Angela Baldassarre
Angela Baldassarre
Sympatico.ca

Director Irwin Winkler and screenwriter Jay Cocks know that Porter's songs are his story, and so they take care to weave his tunes seamlessly into their movie's structure.

Full Review Source: Lowell Sun | comment Comment
06/30/04
Austin O'Connor
Austin O'Connor
Lowell Sun

Like a Porter song, De-Lovely has melancholy, wit and style to burn.

Full Review Source: Philadelphia Inquirer | comment Comment
07/01/04
Carrie Rickey
Carrie Rickey
Philadelphia Inquirer

The movie does offer insight into a man whose lyrics now are underscored with the deeper, hidden rhythms of truth.

Full Review Source: Bangor Daily News (Maine) | comment Comment
11/16/04
Christopher Smith
Christopher Smith
Bangor Daily News (Maine)

De-Lovely is an unexpected delight giving us both the wonderful music of Cole Porter along with Kevin Kline's winning turn as the composer.

Full Review Source: Worcester Telegram & Gazette | comment Comment
07/23/04
Daniel M. Kimmel
Daniel M. Kimmel
Worcester Telegram & Gazette

It's fun to see moderns like Elvis Costello, Natalie Cole, Diana Krall and Alanis Morissette 'doing' Porter.

Full Review Source: San Diego Union-Tribune | comment Comment
07/02/04
David Elliott
David Elliott
San Diego Union-Tribune

Remarkably touching and engrossing.

Full Review Source: Christian Science Monitor | comment Comment
07/01/04
David Sterritt
David Sterritt
Christian Science Monitor

A captivating musical.

Full Review Source: ReelTalk Movie Reviews | comment Comment
07/01/04
Diana Saenger
Diana Saenger
ReelTalk Movie Reviews

An intelligent behind-the-scenes look at enduring love and enduring music.

Full Review Source: ReelTalk Movie Reviews | comment Comment
12/15/04
Donald J. Levit
Donald J. Levit
ReelTalk Movie Reviews

When it is most successful, it is successful as a portrait of a marriage that had to be stronger than most because of a life spent dancing backward while wearing high heels.

Full Review Source: Milwaukee Journal Sentinel | comment Comment
07/15/04
Duane Dudek
Duane Dudek
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
 
 
1 - 20 (sorted by fresh rating; UK critics are listed first)
Text View | 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 >> >|
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Latest News for De-Lovely

June 22, 2004: This musical bio of Cole Porter looks at the songwriter’s loving and unorthodox relationship with his wife, Linda—meaning it doesn’t shy away from his homosexual affairs. Opens in new window
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