De-Lovely

PG-13

Released Jul 16, 2004

2 hr. 5 min.

Musical

Biography

Drama

LGBTQ+

List

48%

155 Reviews

Tomatometer

66%

10,000+ Ratings

Audience Score

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.

Read More

Read Less

Watch on Fandango at Home

Premiered Feb 27

Buy Now

Fandango at Home

Prime Video

Max

Apple TV

Watch De-Lovely with a subscription on Max, rent on Fandango at Home, Prime Video, Apple TV, or buy on Fandango at Home, Prime Video, Apple TV.

Critics Consensus

Musical numbers save movie from cliches.

Read Critics Reviews

John E

I've always had an immense fondness for biopics of all kinds. I've also been a long-time fan of actors Kevin Kline and Ashley Judd. So, as I went to view De-Lovely (2004) as part of my 2023 film journey, I had to wonder why I had never heard of it. Upon watching De-Lovely, I may know why. De-Lovely unveils the story of Cole Porter (Kline), the highly revered American composer and songwriter. The movie begins as Porter is about to die and he is visited by the archangel Gabriel in human form (Jonathan Pryce). In a very "It's a Wonderful Life" type of tale, Gabriel guides Porter through various moments of his life, as if it were an on-stage musical production. The tale begins with Porter meeting socialite divorcee Linda Lee Thomas (Judd). They soon become close, and they eventually marry. This marriage occurs despite Linda being fully aware that Porter is gay. Though their marriage is one based on mutual gain through façade, the two genuinely do love each other from an emotional standpoint. I most likely had never heard of this film because, well, it's rather mediocre. The "let's review your life" cliché was unnecessary and a distraction. And as elevated as the acting is from both central characters, they struggle to rise above a story where all the chords of Porter's life are reduced to one single note… his homosexuality and its conflict with the relationship he tries to maintain with Linda. We learn very little more about him… save that he was also a musical genius. Despite these failings, I still enjoyed this film. The costumes and makeup are impeccable as the story and characters travel through four decades. The acting is high caliber with Kline and Judd exhibiting wonderful chemistry. Most de-lovely of all though, is the music. The music elevates the experience above the script and ensures that the story never drags. Porter's hit songs are stage and film classics, and in this movie, we get to hear many of them performed by modern singers, inserted into the story as background extras. Elvis Costello, Sheryl Crowe, Natalie Cole, Robbie Williams, and my personal favorite performance… Alanis Morissette singing, "Let's Do It, Let's Fall in Love"! My goal for 2023 was to see a myriad of films that offered some form of cinematic excellence or significance. Outside of the incredible musical score, this film does not rise to that level. But it doesn't matter. Like discovering an unexpectedly enjoyable B-side on an old hit 45-record, this film is a little gem, mediocrity and all.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

07/17/23

Full Review

David w K

Just a wonderful compilation of his best songs in a delightfully edited movie. A joy to watch over and over.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

09/09/22

Full Review

Liam D

A Mixed Bag it has some great songs and main actors but it has a bad pace and too many cameos

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

03/26/22

Full Review

Audience Member

This is one of my favourite movies. Of course it is trite and highly predictable but it also works as a great primer to Cole Porter, his life, and his times. Excellent for the performances of the great Porter songs, costumes, and design.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

02/14/23

Full Review

steve d

The balance of strong performances and strong music numbers make it an interesting watch.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

03/30/23

Full Review

Audience Member

stunning cast, musicians and remakes of the originals.....i just love this movie and ashley judd is so convincing i couldnt watch to the end.... OUTSTANDING story telling

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/04/23

Full Review

Read all reviews

Post a rating

Irwin Winkler

Director

Kevin Kline

Cole Porter

Ashley Judd

Linda Porter

Jonathan Pryce

Gabe

Kevin R. McNally

Gerald Murphy

Allan Corduner

Monty Woolley

Show Less Cast & Crew

Show More Cast & Crew

De-Lovely: Official Clip - Begin the Beguine

3:27

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

3:00

De-Lovely: Official Clip - Blackmailed

1:14

De-Lovely: Official Clip - Night and Day

2:47

De-Lovely: Official Clip - Happiness

1:58

De-Lovely: Official Clip - Spoiled Behavior

1:47

De-Lovely: Official Clip - Easy to Love

2:49

De-Lovely: Official Clip - So In Love

4:15

De-Lovely: Official Clip - Linda's Miscarriage

2:13

View more videos

47%

83%

Rent

41%

54%

Callas Forever

85%

92%

The Sea Inside

42%

64%

Beyond the Sea

74%

65%

Loggerheads

Discover more movies and TV shows.

View More

View more photos

Nell Minow

Common Sense Media

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

Rated: 2/5

Dec 22, 2010

Full Review

Empire Magazine

Rated: 2/5

Apr 1, 2006

Full Review

Neil Smith

BBC.com

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

Rated: 3/5

Sep 14, 2004

Full Review

Debbie Lynn Elias

Behind The Lens

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

Nov 7, 2019

Full Review

Peter Canavese

Groucho Reviews

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

Rated: 2.5/4

May 8, 2011

Full Review

Brian Orndorf

BrianOrndorf.com

Winkler indulges a large amount of screentime detailing these sexual leanings and complications, which disrupts the picture's balance between wannabe musical and straight up bio-pic.

Rated: C

May 3, 2011

Full Review

Read all reviews

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
Executive Producer: Gail Egan, Simon Channing Williams
Screenwriter: Jay Cocks
Distributor: Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
Production Co: United Artists, 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
Sound Mix: SDDS, Dolby Digital, DTS, Surround

Most Popular at Home Now