Me and Orson Welles

“Me and Orson Welles” is a film directed by Richard Linklater and stars Zac Efron, Claire Danes and Christian McKay (who portrays the young Mr. Welles). Taking place in 1937 and after Orson Welles has left the Federal project (created in the beginning of the depression) in order to make it on his own via his Mercury Theater, the film shows the power, the ego and the talent of this remarkable 20th Century icon. Mr. McKay not only bears a strong physical resemblance to Mr. Welles but has, indeed, captured the essence of this dynamic entertainment figure. This film is basically a stage production within a movie and portrays Zac Efron as an18 year old who is hired by and becomes a student of Mr. Welles. Those familiar with the famous Mercury Theater players will identify with Joseph Cotton (James Tupper), John Houseman (Eddie Marsan) and George Coulouris (Ben Chaplin). These fine actors give life and meaning to this significant representaiton of the media in the mid 1930’s and literally take us back 72 years to this creative time in our theatrical history. I give this film 3 stars with kudos to Mr. Linklater who has made the oft used vehicle of a “play within a play” a pleasant and meaningful experience.