When I first heard that Me and Orson Welles featured Disney prodigy Zac Efron in his first film starring role that didn't include singing, dancing or basketball, I was immediately skeptical as to its overall success. Luckily though, an undeniably quirky script and a set of talented co-stars provides an entertaining backdrop to Efron; one that easily allows the film to reach unexpected heights of greatness.
For starters, the story is simple. Teenage boy happens to be at the right place at the right time, lands dream job working in one of Orson Welles' stage productions, falls in love with much older stage assistant and makes one of the most unfortunate decisions in his young life. It is a premise that is as old as the idea of cinema, and really should not have resulted in much. But for some unexpected reason, it did, and I am here to tell you all about it.
Zac Efron gives a surprisingly strong debut here, taking on the time-piece with a sense of unbarring confidence. His work opposite Christian McKay (Welles) is nothing short of brilliant as each feeds off the other, creating a dynamic duo that is sure to turn some heads in the audience. Their connection could be seen from miles around as their conversations flow, leaving you unable to think of any better combination of actors that could have pulled off such a relationship.
It is this type of chemistry that makes Me and Orson Welles work as it does, as most of the film's quirky comedy and witty dialogue is successful thanks to the timely approach and delivery by all its cast members. The quick talking Welles is nothing short of a spectacle, and I could have watched him work the stage for an hour and a half if it had been necessary. His ferocious mannerisms and intense personality make for an unforgettable character; one that often steals the spotlight form Efron's Richard Samuels whenever they share the screen.
Supporting work by Claire Danes, Ben Chaplin and Eddie Marsan made for a well rounded cast, a strong worry of mine once I realized just how large the cast was. Their ability to share the screen and work with one another is extremely impressive, and the film as a whole benefits greatly from such cohesive work.
The stage production of 'Cesar,' which serves as the pivotal reason that the story is able to take place, is fascinating in its own right. I will admit that I was never clearly able to see just how things were going to come together; hell, I'm not sure if anyone could see the vision that Welles saw in his mind. However, the final product, featured in a montage near the film's conclusion, was nothing short of extraordinary. It was a type of film within a film scenario, a style that I rarely find appeasing; yet for some reason, it worked really well here.
The cinematography was fitting for the story, as the colors blend effortlessly with the style and time that the film looks to represent. The soundtrack was masterfully collected, featuring some addictive tunes that were well placed within the story - a job not nearly as easy as one might think. The set pieces were brilliantly crafted, bringing the story to life as we witness an actual stage set-up, created and used to bring an entirely different story to life.
However, when looking beyond the technical attributes of the film, Me and Orson Welles survives on two things: its script and its acting. There is no denying that Christian McKay warrants some serious Oscar consideration for his role as Welles, and the screenwriters' ability to take a simple story and make it interesting is nothing short of mesmerizing. Without good screenwriting and great acting by McKay, the film would have likely been an unfortunate failure, but their inclusion makes for an enjoyable experience that deserves your time and ten bucks, no questions asked.
