A most unusal biopic about a most unconventional lovely story
De-Lovely (2004)
Tomatometer
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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
Reviews for De-Lovely
A lovely fantasia on the life and times of the man who said 'I wanted every kind of love that was available' and then described most of them in his songs.
Winkler’s technique is to proceed a scene of Porter experiencing something with a scene of a song performance that’s inspired by that event. Rinse. Repeat.
...isn’t simply a musical revue. It’s also a biography, and that’s where it’s not so pretty.
Like most Mexican food in Minnesota, De-Lovely is a bold idea, timidly executed.
Porter's lyrics and melodies still sparkle with the brilliance of bubbling champagne, but this movie biography is about as effervescent as swamp gas.
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.
Keeps making the point that Cole Porter was a fun-loving, carefree man-about-town -- but if that's true, then how come his life seems so dull?
By miscasting its two stars, De-Lovely falsifies Porter’s story almost as much as Night and Day did.
The movie is but a pale imitation of Porter's amazing life. Here, it just looks, well, kind of interesting.
Functions beautifully from the context in which many of his songs are presented.
Uneven and ultimately superficial...but the composer's enduring genius and the lavish production are enough to make the picture worth a listen and a look.
Porter's songs keep much the film afloat when, otherwise, it would have sunk. No matter how turgid or murky the movie becomes, when the music starts, you're flying.
Not inept enough to make the composer spin in his grave ... but not insightful or clever enough to please the old boy, either.
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