De-Lovely

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De-Lovely

PG-13,

2004,

2h 5m,

Musical/

Biography/

Drama/

LGBTQ+

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49%

153 Reviews

Tomatometer

66%

10,000+ Ratings

Popcornmeter

49%

Tomatometer

153 Reviews

66%

Popcornmeter

10,000+ Ratings

At the staging of a musical production based on his life story, songwriter Cole Porter (Kevin Kline) begins to reflect on his life and career. As he trades notes with the play's director, Gabe (Jonathan Pryce), Porter recollects his meteoric rise on Broadway during the mid-1920s and his first meeting with wife and muse Linda Thomas (Ashley Judd). He also recalls his many extramarital, homosexual dalliances, and the deep depression and seclusion of his final years.

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Critics Consensus

Musical numbers save movie from cliches.

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Nell Minow

Common Sense Media

Dec 22, 2010

2/5

The music is de-lovely, but not much else is.

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Neil Smith

BBC.com

Sep 14, 2004

3/5

There are enough glorious songs, energetically warbled by a host of modern pop stars, to keep us enthralled.

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Peter Rainer

New York Magazine/Vulture

Aug 7, 2004

The results ... are staid, with re-creations of Paris in the Jazz Age and Hollywood in its Golden Age that are like waxworks in motion.

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Matt Brunson

Film Frenzy

Nov 2, 2025

3/4

There’s a moment when, after a screening of the Cole Porter biopic Night and Day, Cole (Kline) cracks, “If I can survive this movie, I can survive anything.” Porter not only survived De-Lovely but even found some of his songs back on the Billboard charts.

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Debbie Lynn Elias

Behind The Lens

Nov 7, 2019

The music is eloquently timeless. The lyrics unparalleled, even illuminating. Yes, it's delightful, it's delicious, it's delectable...it's De-Lovely.

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Peter Canavese

Groucho Reviews

May 8, 2011

2.5/4

Unfortunately, the film's post-modern staginess assists in keeping Porter endlessly at arm's length. [Blu-ray]

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Hagrid P

Mar 4, 2019

Looks great but Kline is too much of a ham.

Oct 25, 2018

I thought the music, the style and the way of story telling was superb and inspired.

Ron R

Aug 30, 2018

The film is very well produced with lots of great takes with known singers. Delightful except for the story about one of them homer-sexuals that get married to a woman and becomes acceptable. I can't help but feel so much creep, creeping.

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Kylo L

Mar 16, 2018

De-Lovely is a decent film. It is about the life and career of composer. Cole Porter. Kevin Kline and Ashley Judd give good performances. The script is a little slow in places. Irwin Wrinkler did an alright job directing this movie. I liked this motion picture because of the drama and music.

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Draco P

Aug 30, 2017

Like an amateur jazz band trying to pack too many keys and time signatures into one song, De-Lovely is a complete mess. The music is wonderful, of course, but the forced love triangle story and the (admittedly unique) framing gimmick just scream of insecurity. Fluffy and forgettable.

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Poe P

Apr 27, 2017

This movie focuses on Cole and Linda Porter and his homosexual lifestyle. I found it a charming film. The chemistry between Kevin Kline and Ashley Judd was impeccable!

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Irwin Winkler

Director

Kevin Kline

Cole Porter

Ashley Judd

Linda Porter

Jonathan Pryce

Gabe

Kevin R. McNally

Gerald Murphy

Allan Corduner

Monty Woolley

De-Lovely: Official Clip - Begin the Beguine

3:27

Now Playing

De-Lovely: Official Clip - Let's Do It

3:00

Now Playing

De-Lovely: Official Clip - Blackmailed

1:14

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De-Lovely: Official Clip - Night and Day

2:47

Now Playing

De-Lovely: Official Clip - Happiness

1:58

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De-Lovely: Official Clip - Spoiled Behavior

1:47

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De-Lovely: Official Clip - Easy to Love

2:49

Now Playing

De-Lovely: Official Clip - So In Love

4:15

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De-Lovely: Official Clip - Linda's Miscarriage

2:13

Now Playing

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Synopsis

At the staging of a musical production based on his life story, songwriter Cole Porter (Kevin Kline) begins to reflect on his life and career. As he trades notes with the play's director, Gabe (Jonathan Pryce), Porter recollects his meteoric rise on Broadway during the mid-1920s and his first meeting with wife and muse Linda Thomas (Ashley Judd). He also recalls his many extramarital, homosexual dalliances, and the deep depression and seclusion of his final years.

Director: Irwin Winkler
Producer: Stephen Endelman, Irwin Winkler, Rob Cowan, Charles Winkler
Screenwriter: Jay Cocks
Distributor: Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
Production Co: Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM), United Artists, Potboiler Productions, Winkler Films
Rating: PG-13 (Sexual Content)
Genre: Musical, Biography, Drama, LGBTQ+
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Jul 16, 2004, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Dec 21, 2012
Box Office (Gross USA): $13.3M
Runtime: 2h 5m
Sound Mix: SDDS, Dolby Digital, DTS, Surround

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