Me and Orson Welles

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Me and Orson Welles

PG-13,

2009,

1h 47m,

Drama

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86%

155 Reviews

Tomatometer

61%

10,000+ Ratings

Popcornmeter

86%

Tomatometer

155 Reviews

61%

Popcornmeter

10,000+ Ratings

After a chance encounter, theater-loving teen Richard Samuels (Zac Efron) gets the opportunity of a lifetime when famed director Orson Welles (Christian McKay) gives him a small role in his 1937 production of "Julius Caesar." Unexpectedly thrust into the heady world of the stage, Richard finds himself surrounded by ambition, clashing egos and sheer brilliance.

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Critics Consensus

Me and Orson Welles boasts a breakout performance by Christian McKay and an infectious love of the backstage drama that overcomes its sometimes fluffy tone.

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Deborah Ross

The Spectator

Aug 30, 2018

It just plodded on, drearily and leadenly, for the full 114 minutes, like I had nothing better to do, which I didn't, but that's not the point.

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Nick Bradshaw

Sight & Sound

Jul 10, 2018

Christian McKay's eerily accurate, rollicking impersonation defines a good half of the movie; it's a fireball of charisma, chutzpah, virtuosity and obstinacy.

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Nicolas Rapold

Film Comment Magazine

Sep 24, 2014

This deceptively modest movie is smartly not a curated compilation of Wellesiana, but rather a warmly observed look at the theater and those souls who live for the arts.

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Brian Eggert

Deep Focus Review

Aug 28, 2023

3/4

This film is content with losing its purpose behind the great performance of Christian McKay, a little-known British actor who embodies Orson Welles completely.

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Sean Axmaker

Stream on Demand

May 6, 2022

Christian McKay... captures that distinctive timbre that made him the voice artist of choice for every radio show in New York City, the puckish smile he would flash like an indulgent adult looking down at his children...

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David Lamble

Bay Area Reporter

Jun 18, 2020

Zac Efron displays mojo as a plucky newbie with just a hint of the young Tyrone Power.

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Kylo L

Aug 6, 2018

Very enjoyable Richard Linklater film with a wonderful acting job by Christian McKay as Welles.

Theodore R

Dec 30, 2017

Starting with the ungrammatical title, this movie spirals down fast. Christian McKay's convincing portrayal of Welles (especially his voice and accent) isn't enough to save it. Zac Ephron, hopelessly miscast, only knows how to act as if he were still in "High School Musical"; he never really seems sure of what he's supposed to be feeling or how he should react during dialogue, so he keeps a faux cynical / enigmatic smile on his face and coasts on his looks. I was honestly embarrassed for Claire Danes. How could she stay so perky and friendly? The script unrelentingly demeaned her (and all the other women characters). If I had finished watching it, perhaps I would have found something interesting, but the journey to that hypothetical point was not worth it.

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Luke M

Sep 17, 2015

This might be, in my opinion, Richard Linklater's most under appreciated film. This is one of Zac Efron's best movies and best performances. The visuals and tone are very very fitting to its time, and Christian McKat is spot on FANTASTIC as Orson Welles.

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Richard Linklater

Director

Zac Efron

Richard Samuels

Claire Danes

Sonja Jones

Christian McKay

Orson Welles

Zoe Kazan

Gretta Adle

James Tupper

Joseph Cotten

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Synopsis

After a chance encounter, theater-loving teen Richard Samuels (Zac Efron) gets the opportunity of a lifetime when famed director Orson Welles (Christian McKay) gives him a small role in his 1937 production of "Julius Caesar." Unexpectedly thrust into the heady world of the stage, Richard finds himself surrounded by ambition, clashing egos and sheer brilliance.

Director: Richard Linklater
Producer: Richard Linklater, Marc Samuelson, Ann Carli
Screenwriter: Holly Gent, Vincent Palmo Jr.
Distributor: Freestyle Releasing
Production Co: Detour Filmproduction, CinemaNX
Rating: PG-13 (Smoking|Sexual References)
Genre: Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Nov 25, 2009, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): May 1, 2011
Box Office (Gross USA): $1.2M
Runtime: 1h 47m

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