Musicals have been changing dramatically for the last sixty years. From huge, showy Oscar and Hammerstein musicals to the stylish musicals of today, I don't think there's one typical musical. De-Lovely is one of those new, original musicals. I'm not even sure if it could be considered a musical, because most of the songs begin in the movie then go into the background, or are just performed...well, it's hard to explain. But all of the songs are by Cole Porter, whom this movie is about. I knew nothing about the man (except having heard a few of his songs occasionally), so this biography/musical hybrid opened my eyes to the man behind some of the classic music of the 20th century, and also his private life, which, I heard, was better represented here than in Night and Day, the Cary Grant version of Porter's life.
Porter (Kevin Kline), who, when the movie begins, is already established as a songwriter and occasional singer (although his singing voice isn't as good as others-Kline perfected this), at a part, falls in love with Linda (Ashley Judd, doing something more than formulaic crime thrillers). They get married, although they both well know about his homosexuality. He steadily becomes more famous, she's right behind him all the way. However, a marriage like that can't stay together forever, as Porter's life descends into the typical hell that all famous people have.
From what I could tell, De-Lovely (which gets its name from one of his songs) is basically true to his life. It covers everything, while staying at a tight two hours. It's an entertaining two hours at that. The music livens up this film and makes it entertaining and bristling with joy. The occasional dance scenes are good, and all of the songs are catchy. I wanted to run out and buy the soundtrack immediately. The whole movie has this feeling of optimism, that's not only caused by the music, but by Kline's performance as Porter. He gets into character and is Porter. His infectious performance is the most entertaining of the year. However, like all movies, there must always be a turning point.
For De-Lovely, that's the second half. Everything turns dramatic, only Porter's somber songs are used, and all of the fun is sucked out of it with a curly straw from the circus. It's still interesting, but all of the feelings of joy and optimism that were in the first half are suddenly gone. I don't know if I should, but I'm going to blame it on director Irwin Winkler, because I hated his direction of Life as a House. Winkler doesn't understand the meaning of the word "flow", and the movie jumps from one half to the next with no connections at all. His choice of shots, though, worked, with many pans that turned into completely new sets.
Many people have been criticizing Judd's performance, saying how she wasn't the right age, she didn't get into character, etc., but I thought she did a fine job here. On a completely different note, I think that the makeup done was great-the movie spans their whole lives, so makeup has to be put on for their older persona's. I didn't know I was going to like De-Lovely. But I did, and if you give it a chance, you probably will, too.
My rating: 7/10
Rated PG-13 for sexual content.
Porter (Kevin Kline), who, when the movie begins, is already established as a songwriter and occasional singer (although his singing voice isn't as good as others-Kline perfected this), at a part, falls in love with Linda (Ashley Judd, doing something more than formulaic crime thrillers). They get married, although they both well know about his homosexuality. He steadily becomes more famous, she's right behind him all the way. However, a marriage like that can't stay together forever, as Porter's life descends into the typical hell that all famous people have.
From what I could tell, De-Lovely (which gets its name from one of his songs) is basically true to his life. It covers everything, while staying at a tight two hours. It's an entertaining two hours at that. The music livens up this film and makes it entertaining and bristling with joy. The occasional dance scenes are good, and all of the songs are catchy. I wanted to run out and buy the soundtrack immediately. The whole movie has this feeling of optimism, that's not only caused by the music, but by Kline's performance as Porter. He gets into character and is Porter. His infectious performance is the most entertaining of the year. However, like all movies, there must always be a turning point.
For De-Lovely, that's the second half. Everything turns dramatic, only Porter's somber songs are used, and all of the fun is sucked out of it with a curly straw from the circus. It's still interesting, but all of the feelings of joy and optimism that were in the first half are suddenly gone. I don't know if I should, but I'm going to blame it on director Irwin Winkler, because I hated his direction of Life as a House. Winkler doesn't understand the meaning of the word "flow", and the movie jumps from one half to the next with no connections at all. His choice of shots, though, worked, with many pans that turned into completely new sets.
Many people have been criticizing Judd's performance, saying how she wasn't the right age, she didn't get into character, etc., but I thought she did a fine job here. On a completely different note, I think that the makeup done was great-the movie spans their whole lives, so makeup has to be put on for their older persona's. I didn't know I was going to like De-Lovely. But I did, and if you give it a chance, you probably will, too.
My rating: 7/10
Rated PG-13 for sexual content.