Me and Orson Welles (2009)
76%RT Audience Score: 61%
Awards & Nominations: Nominated for 1 BAFTA Award
5 wins & 27 nominations total
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
If you’re looking for a movie that will make you feel like you’re part of the theater world, then Me and Orson Welles is the perfect pick. Christian McKay’s performance as Welles is so spot-on, you’ll forget you’re not watching the real thing. And Zac Efron? He’s got just the right amount of charm to make you root for his character. Plus, the set design is top-notch, transporting you straight to 1930s New York. It’s a delightful film that will leave you feeling like you just got a backstage pass to one of the greatest shows on earth.
Production Company(ies)
2.4.7. Films, France 3 Cinéma The Kennedy Marshall Company,
Distributor
Freestyle Releasing
Release Type
Theatrical
Filming Location(s)
Crystal Palace Park, Penge, London, England, UK
MPAA / Certificate
Rated PG-13 for sexual references and smoking
Year of Release
2009
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Color:Color
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Sound mix:Dolby Digital
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Aspect ratio:2.35 : 1
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Runtime:1h 47m
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Language(s):English
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Country of origin:United States
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Release date:Release Date (Theaters): Nov 25, 2009 Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Aug 17, 2010
Genre(s)
Drama
Keyword(s)
starring Zac Efron, Claire Danes, Christian McKay, Zoe Kazan, James Tupper, Leo Bill, directed by Richard Linklater, written by Holly Gent, Vincent Palmo Jr., drama, PG-13, box office gross $1.2M, reviewed by Deborah Ross, Nick Bradshaw, Nicolas Rapold, Ty Burr, Hank Sartin, Joshua Rothkopf, Sean Axmaker, David Lamble, Micheal Compton, Laura Hiros, breakout performance, backstage drama, theater, Orson Welles, Julius Caesar, ambition, clashing egos, love of the arts, coming-of-age romance, Mercury Theatre, Joseph Cotten, set design, 1940s-50s noir style, self-confident youth, love interest, genius, fascism, modern garb, grandeur, Disney star, viable lead
Worldwide gross: $2,336,172
Worldwide gross (inflation-adjusted): $3,228,848
Worldwide gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): 2,297
Worldwide tickets sold (est.): 352,110
US/Canada gross: $1,190,003
US/Canada gross (inflation-adjusted): $1,644,716
US/Canada gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): 2,086
US/Canada opening weekend: $63,638
US/Canada opening weekend (inflation-adjusted): $87,955
US/Canada opening weekend ranking (inflation-adjusted): 1,982
Budget and Earnings Details
Production budget (est.): $25,000,000
Production budget (inflation-adjusted): $34,552,768
Production budget ranking: 1,067
Marketing and distribution budget (inflation-adjusted est.): $18,606,666
Box office net earnings to date (inflation-adjusted est.): -$49,930,585
ROI to date (est.): -94%
ROI ranking: 1,983
Claire Danes – Sonja Jones
Christian McKay – Orson Welles
Zoe Kazan – Gretta Adle
James Tupper – Joseph Cotten
Leo Bill – Norman Lloyd
Director(s)
Richard Linklater
Writer(s)
Holly Gent, Vincent Palmo Jr.
Producer(s)
Richard Linklater, Marc Samuelson, Ann Carli
Film Festivals
Awards & Nominations
Nominated for 1 BAFTA Award
5 wins & 27 nominations total
Academy Awards
All Critics (158) | Top Critics (53) | Fresh (135) | Rotten (23)
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.
August 30, 2018
Deborah Ross
The Spectator
TOP CRITIC
Christian McKay’s eerily accurate, rollicking impersonation defines a good half of the movie; it’s a fireball of charisma, chutzpah, virtuosity and obstinacy.
July 10, 2018
Nick Bradshaw
Sight & Sound
TOP CRITIC
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.
September 24, 2014
Nicolas Rapold
Film Comment Magazine
TOP CRITIC
November 24, 2011 | Rating: 3/4
Ty Burr
Boston Globe
TOP CRITIC
November 18, 2011 | Rating: 3/5
Hank Sartin
Time Out
TOP CRITIC
November 17, 2011 | Rating: 3/5
Joshua Rothkopf
Time Out
TOP CRITIC
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
Sean Axmaker
Stream on Demand
Zac Efron displays mojo as a plucky newbie with just a hint of the young Tyrone Power.
June 18, 2020
David Lamble
Bay Area Reporter
McKay’s performance captures all the traits that made the director so dynamic, but this is more than just an impersonation. This is a complete performance, full of life and depth.
May 11, 2019
Micheal Compton
Bowling Green Daily News
A delightful film that with excellent set design… [Full review in Spanish]
March 23, 2018 | Rating: 3/5
Laura Hiros
Rincón de cine
The film’s Welles is a mix of huckster and genius, thanks to an astonishing performance by little-known English actor Christian McKay, who captures his boundless self-confidence and energy. Director Richard Linklater gives his cast the chance to shine.
August 1, 2012
Jason Best
Movie Talk
April 4, 2011 | Rating: 3.5/5
Dave White
Movies.com…
Plot
In November 1937, high school student and aspiring thespian Richard Samuels takes a day trip into New York City. There, he meets and begins a casual friendship with Gretta Adler, their friendship based on a shared love and goal of a profession in the creative arts. But also on this trip, Richard stumbles across the Mercury Theatre and meets Orson Welles, who, based on an impromptu audition, offers Richard an acting job as Lucius in his modern retelling of Julius Caesar, which includes such stalwart Mercury Theatre players as Joseph Cotten and George Coulouris. Despite others with official roles as producer John Houseman, this production belongs to Welles, the unofficial/official dictator. In other words, whatever Welles wants, the cast and crew better deliver. These requests include everything, even those of a sexual nature. Welles does not believe in conventions and will do whatever he wants, which includes not having a fixed opening date, although the unofficial opening date is in one week’s time. In turn, Welles realizes that his name will either be strengthened or ruined in the theater community by this production. Richard is taken under the wing by the production’s Jane-of-All-Trades, Sonja Jones. Known as the Ice Queen by the male cast, Sonja deflects much of the unwanted sexual attention by jokingly implying that she and Richard are having a fling, which Richard wants nothing more than to be the truth. As the end of the week and opening night approaches, Richard, having seen Welles’ behavior, has to decide if acting in this production is worth it at any cost.
Trivia
Goofs / Tidbits
Christian McKay’s performance as Orson Welles is “an astonishing performance by little-known English actor Christian McKay, who captures his boundless self-confidence and energy.” – Micheal Compton, Bowling Green Daily News
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