De-Lovely (2004)

Cole Porter (Kevin Kline) has his life flash in front of him in the form of a musical as he fades from the world. Gabriel (Jonathan Pryce) is beside him. Linda Porter (Ashley Judd) is his wife and love of his life despite him being a bisexual.This is filled with Cole Porter's great classics. As a musical, this would appeal to any of his fans. There are some unusual voices from modern music doing the singing. As a story, there is a problem. It struggles to gather any tension. Linda is so giving and such a friend to Cole that there is only limited drama. His life is not devoid of drama but nothing that is more tragic than everybody else. One thing that the movie misses is Cole Porter's inspiration and the work of his writing. It's got plenty of song and dance but limited intensity.

Bought the movie without knowing anything about it, because of stars Ashley Judd and Kevin Kline. I did have to watch it more than once before I "got it". The key to understanding the film, is think of it like Dickens' ghost of Christmas past. And realize that Angel Gabriel is showing Cole his life, flashed before his eyes. Then we begin..Loved the idea because of the period. Like ANY truly amazing work of artistic genius, you have to give this movie a once-over before it sets in. Once, to watch the biography. Once to soak in the Linda and Cole love story. Once to understand the complexity of Cole Porter's true nature. He is truly in love with Linda, yet has other preferences- for men.Strangely, made me think of Freddy mercury (see Queen: A Night at The Opera, documentary). Finally, you settle into the musicality of this film. Re-watch several times, and like a fine wine or a groundbreaking new album, you realize the genius that is in Cole Porter's lyrics, musical writing, and larger-than-life personality. Actress Caroline O'Conner does an unreal Ethel Merman-esque performance. How did this film not win multiple Oscars? Actress, Actor, screenplay, etc, etc. Standing ovation to entire musical cast, theatrical performers, and all the amazing hard work. <3 thank you. thank you. thank you. Want to see this on stage!!!

De-Lovely is excellent. I am pretty surprised that there are no Academy award nominations for it. The sound track is simply wonderful. Cole Porter's life is biographically and aesthetically portrayed by the director. The two leads, Kevin Kline and Ashley Judd, are perfectly cast and perform beyond perfection in it. That this is a mixture of gay and straight relational behavior in the same man is deftly depicted, and represents the period well. The sets and the choreography in many of the song and dance numbers brought me back to brighter times. A few of the singing extras did not quite capture the period perfectly, perhaps (Ms Morissette comes to mind), but the songs are all so wonderful, so that it is easy to forget. The director, Irwin Winkler, had to try to make a biographical tale depicting the music the man created in his lifetime, which he did wonderfully, while all the time giving the leads free reign to portray real human beings who loved each other, while continually pondering who, exactly, they themselves really were. Mr Winkler uses something of an artist's brush to pull this thing off so well. Not an easy task given the hidden (gay) subject matter of Cole Porters other life.

I can agree that in terms of story this film deserves only two stars out of five, but I have given it an extra star because of the wonderful songs. Basically it is the biopic about musician and songwriter Cole Porter (Golden Globe nominated Kevin Kline), and the story sees him reminiscing to Gabe (Jonathan Pryce) about his past, as his life is to be portrayed in a stage musical. Even knowing he was gay, Linda Porter (Double Jeopardy's Golden Globe nominated Ashley Judd) marries him, and it is a three part story first in Venice and Paris, then success grows in New York and Hollywood, and the last act having Cole being crippled, but thankfully not spoiling his career. Also starring Kevin McNally as Gerald Murphy, Allan Corduner as Monty Woolley, Sandra Nelson as Sara Murphy, Keith Allen as Irving Berlin, James Wilby as Edward Thomas, John Barrowman as the Night and Day performer, Kevin McKidd as Bobby Reed and Peter Polycarpou as Louis B. Mayer, with musical performances by Robbie Williams, Elvis Costello, Alanis Morissette, Sheryl Crow, Mick Hucknall and Lemar. It is great to see the stars and real singers singing some fantastic songs written by Porter for stage and films, including "It's De-Lovely", "What is This Thing Called Love", "Let's Misbehave", "Let's Do It, Let's Fall in Love", "Anything Goes", "Begin the Beguine" and "Be a Clown". I didn't pay that much attention to the story, but for the songs, this is entertaining enough. Worth watching!