Film Critic to the Culver City Observer and over 132 Publications Worldwide including: The Observer, Inc., John Schimmenti, Inc., CCN, Inc.,
Santa Monica Observer, Inc., Beacon-Times, Inc., Columbus-Register, Inc., and a Host of Others
Kevin Kline and Ashley Judd take center stage as Cole and Linda Porter. Let's face it - they are the story. Anyone else is merely window dressing. Kline is mesmerizing as Porter, bringing a humanizing edge to the man that shows his inner character, genius and talent despite, or in spite of, his flawed shortcomings. When it came to his talent, Porter was known (to the chagrin of many of his friends, like fellow songwriter, Irving Berlin) for being able to sit down and effortlessly compose the perfect song. Here, Kline portrays that gift with a genuine ease and affability that softens the long rumored Hollywood tales of mild jealousy among Porter's colleagues. Kline brings such an honest sincerity and charm to the man that one can't help but feel compassion for him and let's face it - like him. Giving even more credence to the performance is the fact that Kline does play the piano and actually is playing in the scenes calling for it.
And as for Ashley Judd, I am at a loss for words when it comes to describing her talent, particularly with her performance as Linda Lee. Poignant, bewitching, beguiling, astonishing, amazing, effective and unaffected, are only the tip of the iceberg. Having watched her from the beginnings of her career on television's "Sisters" through thrillers like "Double Jeopardy" and "High Crimes" to heartfelt works such as "Where the Heart Is" or "Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood" or comedies in the vein of "Someone Like You", all I can say is this - Is there nothing this woman can't do?! Here, she oozes emotion with every nuance, every look, every word and nails the very essence of Linda Lee to the point of making the viewer feel along with her. And talk about the chemistry between Kline and Judd! Cinergistic. Symbiotic. Flawless.
Directed by Irwin Winkler, the move is told through flashbacks as Porter and Gabe silently watch rehearsals of a musical based on Porter's life. An oft over-used and tired format, Winkler breathes new life into the well-worn thanks to a superlative dialogue by Jay Cocks and the performances of Judd and Kline. Sadly, however, the one area that is lacking is the shooting of musical numbers. Not known for musical direction, Winkler short changes both the audience and the source material with rigid and uneven depictions of some Porter classics.
This film is magical. I guarantee that many of you are Cole Porter fans without realizing it. His songs have stood the test of time and will do so long into the 21st century and even beyond. Throw away the story. Throw away the superb acting. Throw away the script. It's still magic. If for no other reason, "De-Lovely" is a film to be savored like a fine wine just for the songbook it contains. The music is eloquently timeless. The lyrics unparalleled, even illuminating. Yes, it's delightful, it's delicious, it's delectable...it's "De-Lovely."
Cole Porter: Kevin Kline Linda Lee Porter: Ashley Judd Gabe: Jonathan Pryce Irving Berlin: Keith Allen
Directed by Irwin Winkler. Written by Jay Cocks. Music and lyrics by Cole Porter. A Metro-Goldwyn Mayer film. Rated PG-13. (125 min)