“IMPERSONATING ARROGANCE”
Starring: Zac Efron, Christian McKay, Ben Chaplin, Claire Danes and Kelly Reilly
Directed by: Richard Linklater
MPAA Rating: PG-13 for sexual references and smoking.
Genre: Art, Drama, Romance, Adaptation and Teen
Release Date: December 2009
By John Delia
Cast Zac Efron (High School Musical) for the teens, an Orson Welles look alike to add some awe, throw in an A list actor and you have a hit. Well, that was my impression from the trailer of Me and Orson Welles, and after seeing the period drama there wasn’t much more. If you like impressions of famous people, with an above average storyline from the 1930’s, then this is you ticket to nostalgia.
It’s 1937 and the town is buzzing with new productions opening on New York’s great white way. One such play, Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar, is in production with upstart Orson Welles (McKay) at the Mercury Theatre Company. Coincidently, clever high school student and aspiring actor Richard (Efron) passes by that very theatre just when Wells has fired a member of the cast. The boisterous and arrogant Wells sees the boy and after a quick once over, hires (at no pay) Richard for the vacancy. So begins a series of relationships between Richard, the cast and Orson Welles that will make him a man.
I enjoyed the acting in the film and especially Christian McKay as the blustery, confident and arrogant Orson Welles. For the actor’s first movie role, I am impressed with his pinpoint replication of Wells capturing his haughty attitude yet not letting it get away form him. Nominated for a Spirit Award, it will be interesting to see the first timer can walk away with Best Supporting Actor.
Although Zac Efron does an admirable job in the lead role of Richard, I found him to be more eye candy and window dressing to attract the teens to the film. Not to take anything away from the upcoming actor, but he was more of a distraction in the role than the anchor he was meant to be. Having said that, I will have to admit that he nailed the scene with Danes as Sonja James in her apartment.
The film drags a bit, especially involving the rehearsals of Julius Caesar, but director Linklater does redeem himself with a peppy final act. His wardrobe and set designers were excellent with bringing the period to life.
The film is rated PG-13 for sexual references and smoking in order to depict the flamboyance of Welles.
FINAL ANALYSIS: A good dinner and date film, but don’t look for any desert. (3.5 of 5 Palm Trees)