De-Lovely (2004)

Almost Elegant

"De-Lovely" is the perfect film for someone who loves the music of Cole Porter but knows little about his life. Ashley Judd steals the movie as Linda, the socialite who marries the young composer, aware of his homosexual ways but loyal to him regardless. Kevin Kline, inevitably, is too manly in his portrayal of someone whose gayness was as pronounced as was Porter's. I expected more of the Monty Woolley character, Cole's friend since their days together at Yale...and the omission of Elsa Maxwell from the script left an odd gap: she'd been such a colorful part of his life, even in the bad days after his horseback fall that cost him the use of his legs. But all things considered, it is probably the best film bio of an American songwriter ever made: I only wish the list of those had been more competition for "De-Lovely," and that more of its singers could have done more than a passable job with his songs, which when all is said and done were the reason this film was made.
June 5, 2008

Great acting, good intentions, wasted opportunities

At one point Jay Cocks' script borders on the self-congratulatory when Cole and Linda are shown viewing the earlier biopic starring Cary Grant with obvious displeasure. This remake, of course, is going to tell it like it is, and indeed the script of "De-Lovely" strains to account for the (frequently) flawed face of artistic genius. Linda tells Cole that his music stems from his talent, not his behavior, whereas Cole tries to explain that it's all part of the same inseparable package: without the excesses, the disloyalties, the self-indulgences he wouldn't be who he is--arguably America's greatest songwriter. In the end, "De-Lovely" is self-descriptive: not a pretty picture--more Asbury Park than Granada, to paraphrase a Porter lyric.

Perhaps today's audiences need more proof that he really was a great songwriter. Or given the moral correctness of our times, perhaps audiences are incapable of empathizing with those given to self-indulgences. Or they may think they know all too well "the wages of sin." Or perhaps the acting of Kline and Judd overwhelms the script's good intentions. Indeed, they come across as two people who, as each is fully aware, ask too much of one another. He gives her gifts, love, sporadic devotion; she gives him gifts, his vanity (i.e., useless legs), and undying devotion. In the end, and in the still of the night, Linda's devotion cuts through the darkness--a flickering memory but all that Cole has left before the screen goes black.

We believe the characters, their relationship, and their deep if unconventional love--perhaps too much. The film becomes a frequently luminous and tuneful soap opera about a main character who is more pathetic than tragic, about a self-destructive songwriter who self-destructs for obvious reasons, but in a deliberate, slow, very sad and depressing manner. Orson Welles had in essence a similar character and plot framework in "Citizen Kane," but he also had the directing "style" (which above all should be foremost in anything related to Cole Porter's music and life) and a "motivator" to make Kane's willful and self-ignorant destruction a mutually shared obsession, inviting us at every moment to become adventurer-detectives searching for the clues that will lead us to "Rosebud."

By contrast, "De-Lovely" wallows in pain and misery for the last 30 minutes, insulting us with a momentary deus ex machina ("Blow, Gabriel, Blow"--the clumsy choreography and camera work are exceeded only by the execrable, cheesy musical arrangement), and then attempting to rescue everything with that flickering, potentially powerful, image that is the film's final moment. Too little, too late--and too soon, moreover, after we've endured the spectacle of our subject reduced to a pay-for-play "John," a victim of blackmail (triply so, because Linda is included, as is their relationship and mutual trust). The soundtrack plays "Love for Sale," but what we witness is a love that's far more than "slightly soiled."

The project needed to be rethought. Most of today's viewers are totally unsympathetic with the private lives of artists (one would think the writers would pay attention to politics) and, for that matter, unfamiliar with Porter's songs. The film would have done a great service had it opened viewers' hearts and minds to the "obsessions" (an apt term used in the film) of others, the personal mind-images and different objects of desire that motivate the passions of the artist in ways that move us all. (What's the gain in portraying Monty Wooley as a pimp?) Or it would have done an equal service had it launched a whole new wave of interest in the music of Cole Porter.

Sadly, it fails there, too, for reasons too numerous to mention. As a musician, I have no answers for the film's complete re-harmonization if not rewriting of "Begin the Beguine." (If such flagrant disregard of the man's music is acceptable, why should we accept the film's representation of Porter's life?) Perhaps it's just as well the film bypasses Porter "essentials" like "I've Got You Under My Skin," "I Get a Kick Out of You," and "At Long Last Love." And, of course, only Hollywood can be counted on to make a musical about American jazz musicians' favorite American composer with nary a measure of music that swings! In short, musically this production is clueless about the heart of great American popular music. The performances and arrangements in "De-Lovely" owe more to the late Victorian-era sounds of the British music hall than to the African-American musical forms that directly inspired Berlin, Gershwin, Arlen, even Kern and, indirectly at least, Cole Porter.

This is a movie/DVD that few people will care too watch more than once. If you count yourself in that number, and if you're wondering why someone would bother to make a movie about Cole Porter, pick up any recording by Sinatra and Nelson Riddle with "I've Got You Under My Skin" ("Songs for Swinging Lovers" is a good start) or "Night and Day." If you tire of either song (virtually impossible), try the inspired, absolutely scintillating version of "In the Still of the Night" on the first disc of the recent "Sinatra-Vegas" box. And if that's not enough, there's plenty more from the same source, or from Ella Fitzgerald on the "Cole Porter Songbook." Or listen to Mabel Mercer explaining how it (in Porter songs, love is frequently an "it" or "thing") was "Just One of Those Things," or to Dinah Washington actually selling it on "Love for Sale," or to Danny Kaye performing the pyrotechnical verbosity of "Let's Not Talk About Love," or to any singer who imparts to these timeless, immortal songs and lyrics the life that is theirs, allowing them to become the magnificent obsessions of yet another generation of listeners.

[I'm giving this review about the same favorable rating as the movie, even if I got it wrong. Composing--in verbal, cinematic, or musical language--is not a thumbs up, thumbs down proposition. I'm very unhappy with anyone who knocks Altman's "Nashville," my favorite movie, but that doesn't entitle me to take out my disappointment on a reviewer who took time to screen the film and give it some thought. At least no news yet from Amazon that I've gotten a cut in pay.] March 23, 2008

Even better a few years down the road

While I thoroughly enjoyed this movie when I saw it in the theatre, it has aged most gracefully over the past couple years and now appears better than it did when released. The DVD extras are also informative and interesting. The Commentary was actually kind of fun.

The critics were right -- the flashback conceit serves to make everything emotionless -- who IS Jonathan Pryce suddenly in this movie where everyone else is real...and while it was advertised as "lush and detailed" it seems plain compared to real musicals...BUT...

The movie simply works. Sensual without every becoming overly sexual; sad without ever becoming depressing; and musical throughout.

Kevin Kline clearly has to hold back his true singing voice to match Cole more...and that is one of the shames of this film -- casting one of the last couple decades most robust musical theatre performers and asking him to subdue his performance.

Ashley Judd turns in a nuanced and complete performance, in a part that is poorly sketched out and has no backstory. Watch her eyes. and her ability to convey a mood and though without saying a word. In other actresses eyes, this part could easily have become morose and depressing...instead this performance is informed and subtle.

The musical numbers are what they are. Some are wonderful, some woefully "recolored" in the wrong keys and wrong style -- witness Begin the Beguine and wince. Yet the performance is wonderful. The song is almost unrecognizable and Cole Porter would probably just shake his head and have a brandy.

Recommended -- but not for those who do not like musicals. It also helps if you already have some idea of Cole's life, his shows, and his musical style. Those unfamiliar with Kiss Me Kate, for example, will lose all emotional impact once the So In Love sequence begins. Those familiar with it, will find a beautifully written sequence, informed not only by Cole's life, but Broadway. March 23, 2008

Disappointing and Depressing

Not a completely horrible movie. In fact, it could be said the movie was done fairly well - the acting was good, the costumes and sets were great, and it had an unexpected twist on telling a story. However, that interesting twist was also annoying, but obviously they were going for some art nouveau type of presentation. For the "characters" in the movie, Kline and Judd deliver believable performances. The movie was a disappointment for me, however, as I expected something very different than what this particular movie focused on. Neither the movie nor the soundtrack had much to do with the music of Cole Porter. This was all about showcasing Mr. Porter's "other" life, and subsequently, emphasizing the more cynical, tragic, and depraved side of his life and music (emphasizing the more seedy lyrics). Very sad and depressing. March 19, 2008

A lovely musical that I watch over and over.

I did not see this movie when it came out and only recently learned of it from another source. I ordered a copy, since I hate to rent movies, and in the three days we have owned it, have watched it three times. I love Kevin Kline and will watch anything he does. This is a new thing for him and he does it well. The music, of course, is exquisite and the story is told tastefully with all the warts of Cole Porter's life exposed. Ashley Judd is gorgeous and adds a tremendous amount to the story just in her facial expressions. She could have been a silent screen star. Since Paris and Venice are favorite places for me, I enjoyed that part of the story although the Venice scenes were obviously not on location. This is a great movie and a rare musical in modern times. The ending is poignant and well done. Highly recommended. February 15, 2008

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