De-Lovely

reviewed by Charles Markee

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            Cole Porter, the wealthy grandson of a millionaire, and a consummate playboy was also one of our country's most successful songwriters.  He produced wonderful urbane popular music both as individual songs and as film and show tunes (see the list at the end of this review).  This movie depicts most of his adult life.

            The story performed is not a romanticized biography.  From what I've read, it is quite accurate.  The screenplay begins with Cole as an old man participating in the creation of a stage show that will portray his life.  We see the history of his life dramatized as well as the present stage show numbers with his songs.  The result becomes three performances: his life, his comments on his own life in retrospect and the stage show being produced.  Incidentally, these short stage clips with Cole's music are terrific. 

            The shifting organization, period changes and commentary require a little audience adjustment at first, but once started, this mechanism not only works but flows smoothly and makes an otherwise dry biography both interesting and engaging.  A very important technique that keeps us engaged is the integration of his song lyrics with his life so that one emphasizes the other.  In chronological order, his lyrics and his life story move in lock step. 

            The historical segment begins about the time that Cole meets Linda Lee Thomas, a divorcee, in Paris, circa 1919.  They marry in December and enter the Roaring Twenties together.  I enjoyed the engaging storytelling technique used, the honesty with which Cole Porter is portrayed and of course the music.  I think every major piece he wrote is included as well as a few I have never heard.  It's a major nostalgia trip.

            The film does not include any of Cole's early history.  He studied both the violin and the piano, wrote an operetta at age 10 and published his first song a year later.  He graduated from Yale, then went on to Harvard Law School and later changed to study music at the Harvard graduate school of Arts and Sciences.  

            Kevin Kline plays the role of Cole Porter and Ashley Judd plays Linda Lee.  Both Kline and Judd are so convincing, that it's hard to remember while you watch that they are actors.  Kline seems able to do almost any kind of role, serious or comic.  His last release was The Emperor's Club (2002).  Judd seems perfect for this role.  She didn't make it as a detective in Twisted (2004), but this part was a shoe-in.   

            Since Cole was bi-sexual, parents with early teens need to be ready to explain.

            Reviewed January 3, 2005

            MPAA: Rated PG-13 for sexual content.

Music by Cole Porter in the film

reviewed by Charles Markee

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Begin the Beguine

I Get a Kick Out of You

In The Still of Night

It's De-Lovely

Just One of Those Things

Let's Do It, Let's Fall in Love

Let's Misbehave

Love for Sale

Night and Day

True Love