|
|
|
Search Movie Review
Archives
|
|
|
| |
| Dvdivas
was founded by John Gabbard in 2000. It's purpose has been and
remains to be to provide you, the entertainment community with
the latest dvds and movie reviews. It will continue to be your
link to the most popular dvd movies. |
|
|
“De- Lovely”
|
 |
Reviewed
by: |
Wayne A. Klein |
| Genre: |
Biography/drama
|
| Video: |
2.35:1 Anamorphic
widescreen |
| Audio: |
Dolby Digital
5.1 |
| Languages |
English,
French |
| Subtitles |
English,
French, Spanish |
| Length |
125 minutes
|
| Rating |
PG-13 |
| Release Date |
12/28/04
|
| Studio |
MGM Home
Video |
| Commentary:
|
Irwin Winkler,
Kevin Kline and Irwin Winkler, Jay Cocks on a second audio track
|
| Documentaries:
|
None |
| Featurettes:
|
“Making of De-Lovely”,
“Music of De-Lovely”, “Anatomy of a Scene: Be a Clown”, “Anatomy
of a Scene: Love for Sale” |
| Filmography/Biography:
|
None |
|
Interviews: |
None |
| Trailers/TV
Spots: |
Theatrical trailer, MGM
previews, “De-Lovely” soundtrack TV spot |
| Alternate/Deleted
Scenes: |
Deleted
scenes and alternate ending |
| Music
Video: |
None although music performances
are available via scene selections including Elvis Costello,
Alanis Morriesette, Kevin Kline, Sheryl Crow, Robbie Williams,
Diane Krall and others |
| Other:
|
None |
| Cast
and Crew: |
Kevin Kline,
Ashley Judd, Jonathan Pryce, Kevin McNally, Sandra Nelson, James
Wilby |
| Written
By: |
Jay Cocks
|
| Produced
By: |
Irwin Winkler
|
| Directed
By: |
Irwin Winkler
|
| Music:
|
Stephen Endelman
|
| The
Review: |
Irwin Winkler’s “De-Lovely” captures
the life of the brilliant songwriter Cole Porter (Kevin Kline)
and his multihued life loving men and women. Featuring strong
musical performances of classic Porter songs by Elvis Costello,
Robbie Williams, Sheryl Crow, Alanis Morissette, Mick Hucknall,
Diane Krall, Natalie Cole and others the film has an elderly
Cole viewing his life in flashback as if in a theatrical production
presented by a mysterious God-like director (Jonathan Price).
When Porter meets divorcee Linda (Ashley Judd) despite his
homosexuality he finds himself smitten and their whirlwind
romantic courtship helps Porter create some of his most memorable
masterpieces. Their platonic love affair fuels his creativity.
The film straddles the line between biography and musical
with plenty of unusual musical performances of classic Porter
songs. Kline gives a brilliant performance as Porter (lucky
for Kline he studied piano when he was younger) equally matched
by the other main performers in the film. While the framing
story of “God” showing Porter his life in a theatrical production
and asking for his comments as to the accuracy of it comes
across as a bit pretentious it works surprisingly because
of Kline and the cast. Never skirting Porter’s homosexuality,
Winkler is never blunt ---
|
| Image
and Sound: |
Presented
with remarkable clarity, colors as alive as Porter’s witty songs,
“De-Lovely” looks remarkably good on this DVD presentation.
The rich 5.1 Dolby Digital Surround mix has music popping up
in the most unexpected places using the format really well.
|
| The
Extras: |
We get
deleted scenes along with an alternate ending as well as two
brief presentations of the song “Be a Clown”. There’s also
a very good featurette on the making of the movie featuring
comments from director Irwin Winkler, the cast and the producers
weighing in on the long term appeal of Porter’s music and
his fascinating life. “The Music of De-Lovely” features a
variety of musical performers on what peaked their interest
in performing the songs and appearing in the film. We also
get a glimpse into the production of the soundtrack. The two
“Anatomy of” featurettes focus on the choregraphy of both
scenes with a behind the scene glimpse into both the recording
studio and the rehearsals. There’s also the theatrical trailer
and a TV spot advertising the soundtrack for completists.
---
|
| Commentary:
|
Two excellent
commentary tracks highlight the film. The first featuring director
Winkler and actor Kevin Kline give much insight into the creative
process that happens on the soundstage. There’s also much behind-the-scenes
information that Kline and Winkler found out about and share
about Porter. Screenwriter Jay Cocks and Winkler discuss Porter’s
life in relation to the film and how things were changed/condensed
as well as their decision to go with a musical format for this
biography. Interestingly, both also discuss how the classic
song “Be a Clown” was ripped off and turned into “Make ‘em Laugh”
for the MGM classic film “Singing in the Rain”. --- |
| Final
Words: |
A fine musical
biography of the complex life of creative genius of Cole Porter.
A well made thought provoking film, “De-Lovely” suffers a bit
due to the clever framing story. The framing story does wear
thin after the first half of the film and, while it does allow
the elderly Porter the chance to comment on his life, it also
tends to pull one out of the dramatic story of Cole and Linda
Porter. The film tends to feel like a light biography as the
dramatic conflicts are few and far between. “De-Lovely” is still
a worthwhile trip down Cole Porter’s often complex life. |
|
|
