Me and Orson Welles

PG-13

Released Nov 25, 2009

1 hr. 47 min.

Drama

List

86%

158 Reviews

Tomatometer

61%

10,000+ Ratings

Audience Score

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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Audience Member

2.9/5 nice period price

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

09/23/21

Full Review

camille l

Comme d'habitude, Richard Linklater n'a besoin que d'une petite idée toute bête pour réaliser un film tout à fait remarquable. Ici, il parle d'une rencontre entre Orson Welles (Christian McKay est formidable) et un comédien de théâtre aux dents longues joué par un excellent Zac Efron. Et il arrive, de fil en aiguille, avec des dialogues ciselés, des seconds rôles maîtrisés et surtout une virtuosité dans le coming-of-age movie à nous intéresser à cette rencontre. Me & Orson Welles ne rentrera jamais dans les annales mais en temps que tel, c'est un film tout à fait sympathique, à l'image de son auteur. Très belle surprise.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

Full Review

dave s

Me and Orson Welles is odd in the sense that everything in the film seems to be dwarfed, to the obvious detriment of the movie, by a single performance. Christian McKay is spectacular as Orson Welles, capturing virtually every nuance of the mercurial force that Welles was, the pompous but brilliant and inspirational actor and director. While the film focuses on budding actor Richard (Zac Efron) and his love for both the theatre and his co-worker Sonja (Claire Danes), the only scenes that truly elevate above the mundane are those where Welles is present. Sure, the movie has nice period details and is an interesting look at Welles' Mercury Theatre, but is ultimately pretty forgettable, with the exception of McKay's electric performance.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

03/30/23

Full Review

Audience Member

McKay's performance is as golden and virtuosic as the man he portrays, yet I can't help but feel he's miscast in a way that completely alters Welles' dynamic with the rest of the Mercury, solely on account of the fact that McKay is 15 years senior to the 22yo historical figure being played.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

01/30/23

Full Review

david l

As its characters say about the play at the center of the movie, Me and Orson Welles itself is pretty much a film about nothing. Yes, it is very well acted with Christian McKay's performance being very charismatic. It's also very well made technically speaking. But, this is the kind of slight movie that has no themes to it whatsoever, it's pointless and simply way too lightweight in approach and execution.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Uncanny portrayal of the young Orson Welles. Oh, and Linklater is a genius.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/01/23

Full Review

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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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Deborah Ross

The Spectator

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.

Aug 30, 2018

Full Review

Nick Bradshaw

Sight & Sound

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

Jul 10, 2018

Full Review

Nicolas Rapold

Film Comment Magazine

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.

Sep 24, 2014

Full Review

Brian Eggert

Deep Focus Review

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.

Rated: 3/4

Aug 28, 2023

Full Review

Sean Axmaker

Stream on Demand

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...

May 6, 2022

Full Review

David Lamble

Bay Area Reporter

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

Jun 18, 2020

Full Review

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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
Executive Producer: Steve Christian, John Sloss, Steve Norris
Screenwriter: Holly Gent, Vincent Palmo Jr.
Distributor: Freestyle Releasing
Production Co: CinemaNX, Detour Filmproduction
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

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