Intelligently written, sumptuously produced, and dramatically inert.
De-Lovely (2004)
Tomatometer
How does the Tomatometer work ![]()
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
Kevin Kline shines in the Cole Porter bio De-Lovely but whether the movie is any better than the 1946 cornball bio Night and Day is De-Batable.
It's hard to imagine the real Porter sitting still for this kind of film.
De-Lovely twinkles and glows, but all the surface razzle-dazzle fails to mask the emptiness at its core.
Despite that gaffe and the underwhelming singing of a couple of pop stars on the soundtrack, De-Lovely has much de-loveliness about it.
Better than a root canal, marginally superior to Gigli, but bad enough.
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.
The movie contains more music than most musicals, yet is not a concert film because the songs seem to rise so naturally out of the material and illuminate it.
Thoughtful, creative, and generally worthy of its subject, with sins that are more of ambition and miscalculation than of execution.
The split Porters -- one watching the other acting out his life as a stage show -- provide an approximate mirror for the film's theory of his split self.
[A]s much a valentine to Porter as a biography of him... redolent with romantic history...
This is some of [Kline and Judd's] most astonishing respective work in memory. De-Lovely is unremittingly romantic.
Creates a strange vibe, as if to say a gay man's only truly worthy relationship could come from a woman.
A fascinating framing device highlights beautiful Kline and Judd and intricate in-camera editing. Gorgeous and moving.
An innovative biopic, an irresistible musical (featuring some of today's top artists covering Porter standards) and a surprisingly touching heterosexual love story -- even though it doesn't shy away one inch from its hero's rampant bisexuality.
Rather than seeing the life of a complex, talented man, we get a series of elegant episodes that showcase costumes and set
More DVDs
| Tomatometer Percentage | Movie |
|---|---|
| 14% 14% | The Ugly Truth |
| 98% 98% | Up |
| 36% 36% | G.I. Joe: The Rise of … |
| 52% 52% | The Taking of Pelham 1… |
| 45% 45% | Ice Age: Dawn of the D… |
| Tomatometer Percentage | Movie |
|---|---|
| 36% 36% | Angels & Demons |
| 68% 68% | Funny People |
| 25% 25% | Four Christmases |
| 45% 45% | Shorts |
What’s Hot On RT
Other News
Sponsored Links
Fresh Links
Featured

Subscribe to RT's YouTube channel and don't miss a second of our cracking video content.

Follow Rotten Tomatoes and join us as we tweet about the week's releases.



Top Critic

