Me & Orson Welles is still packing film buffs in.
Yesterday afternoon, for instance, the movie house at the Embarcadero was filled to near capacity.
For good reason.
The period film - which lifts a ficitionalized chapter from the famed director's life (and focuses on a stint at the legendary Mercury Theatre in NYC) - is upbeat, rife with witty lines and quick repartee, and boasts a cast of charming characters to root for (or against).
In particular, there are quite a few "inside jokes" about the theatre scene (and movie-making), so industry types are sure to have a big chuckle over the smart bang-on dialogue.
Usually, when actors portray a celebrated stage performer or well-known politician, there is a big emphasis on mimicking their mannerisms and an over-the-top attempt to carve out a characterization on stage or in a movie that is physically indentifiable to the audience.
Consequently, the performance ends up being stilted and phony, and the personality comes across like a overblown cartoon version.
Here, the lead actor inhabiting the role of Welles (Christian McKay) actually gets under the skin, and breathes life into the Welles psyche.
I was particularly impressed with the depiction of Joseph Cotton (one of the theatrical players at the Mercury who greatly impacted theatre-goers during his run there) as performed by James Tupper.
Instead of hitting the audience over the head with a flashy performance to draw attention to his characterization (look at me! see what a great job I'm doing!) he settled into the role with a naturalness that allowed Cotton's likable personality to shine through and touch the little people below the floodlights.
I was fascinated because when I was younger - folks in the business who actually met the man - often noted in passing that I reminded them a lot of the talented actor (what a compliment!).
Surprisingly, I was also intrigued (and impressed) with Zak Efron's acting style, too.
On occasion, I was taken aback, when he reacted out-of-the-norm in a handful of key scenes.
Less competent (less adventurous) actors would have taken a steadfast by-the-book standard approach.
Here, his take on the layers of the character of the individual he was potraying, caused me to sit up and take notice.
Undoubtedly - Efron thought out his role - and likewise prepared for it.
As a result, the young actor was able to fathom what made the character tick.
Efron is also quite photogenic and literally lights up the screen; in fact, the camera loves the young heart-throb.
A handful of admirers will take in the film just to gaze upon his handsome (at times downright pretty) face.
I chuckled during one scene when a bird fluttered into a museum hall and an attendant scurried about and tried to flush the hapless creature out.
Earlier that afteroon, before purchasing a ticket, I was sipping on a hot tea at the Posh Bagel when one of the feathered creatures flew in the open door of the cafe and alighted on the tile floor near my foot.
Ah, auspicious signs for both me and the film.
In another little bit of synchronicity, it should be noted, that I also share the same birthday with the enigmatic Orson Welles (May 6th).
For me, it was a simple matter to figure his personality traits (stubborness, for one).
The production values are excellent.
In fact, the cinematography is literally a smorgasbord for the senses.
This is one of those films where audiences actually clap spontaneously when the credits roll and the lights go up.
The hell with the critics.
Me & Orson Welles is a romantic comedy that satisfies until the last drop of soda is slurped up and each kernel of buttered popcorn is wolved down.
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