In 1937, a teenager is cast in the Mercury Theatre production of "Julius Caesar", directed by a young Orson Welles.In 1937, a teenager is cast in the Mercury Theatre production of "Julius Caesar", directed by a young Orson Welles.In 1937, a teenager is cast in the Mercury Theatre production of "Julius Caesar", directed by a young Orson Welles.
- Nominated for 1 BAFTA Award
- 5 wins & 27 nominations total
- Director
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Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaThe real Norman Lloyd denounced the film, and pointed out that contrary to his portrayal as a lecher, he was a recently married man at the time. This was a happy marriage which lasted many decades until his wife's death. He also took exception to the depiction of Orson Welles as a bullying director and said that he had never seen Welles, with whom he worked often, behave in such a manner, adding that, also, "we wouldn't have stood for it!" He did however concede that Christian McKay's performance as Welles was excellent.
- GoofsRichard accompanies Orson to 485 Madison Ave (CBS) for a "recording session" for a radio show ("The First Nighter" program). At this time (1937) and until the late 40s network programs were broadcast live, never recorded. Most programs were produced live twice, once for the East Coast and three hours later from the West Cost.
- Quotes
Orson Welles: You really are a god created actor Richard. Those weren't just words you see. I recognize 'The Look'.
Richard Samuels: The Look?
Orson Welles: The bone deep understanding that your life is so utterly without meaning that simply to survive you have to reinvent yourself. Because if people can't find you, they can't dislike you. You see if I can be Brutus for 90 minutes tonight; I mean really be him, from the inside out; then for 90 minutes I get this miraculous reprieve from being myself. That's what you see in every great actor's eyes.
- Crazy creditsGilson Lavis is listed as "Drumer" instead of "Drummer".
- ConnectionsFeatured in Live from Studio Five: Episode #1.48 (2009)
- SoundtracksThis Year's Kisses
Written by Irving Berlin
(C) Irving Berlin Music Corp (ASCAP)
All Rights Administered by Warner/Chappell Music Ltd.
All Rights Reserved
Performed by Helen Ward & Benny Goodman & His Orchestra
Courtesy of Bluebird/Novus/RCA Victor
By arrangement with Sony BMG Entertainment
The film focuses on the rehearsals and opening of the play Caesar starring Orson Welles in 1937. Nominally Zac Efron plays the lead as Richard Samuels who is almost 18 and yearning to become an actor. A chance encounter with Orson Welles outside the Mercury theatre leads to Richard being cast as Lucius. Welles was one of those larger than life characters who had so much talent that they could get away with having a rather inflated ego.
This is the first time I have seen Zac Efron on screen and I have got to say he played the role of the star struck teenager very nicely. The character is full of dreams and it certainly resonates long after the film has finished.
If Christian McKay does not get a supporting actor Oscar nomination for his Orson Welles portrayal it will be a travesty. He is quite simply superb. I've always found Claire Danes very engaging and she is also very good in this as are a number of the supporting cast including Ben Chaplin and Zoe Kazan.
If you are after traditional blockbuster fare from your movies then you are probably well advised to skip Me and Orson, but if you like an intelligent film that is well scripted, well directed (by Richard Linklater) and well acted then it's a must see.
- agmoldham
- Dec 7, 2009
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Details
- Release date
- Countries of origin
- Official site
- Language
- Also known as
- Me & Orson Welles
- Filming locations
- Production companies
- See more company credits at IMDbPro
Box office
- Budget
- $25,000,000 (estimated)
- Gross US & Canada
- $1,190,003
- Opening weekend US & Canada
- $63,638
- Nov 29, 2009
- Gross worldwide
- $2,336,172
- Runtime1 hour 54 minutes
- Color
- Sound mix
- Aspect ratio
- 2.35 : 1
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