Me and Orson Welles

[Beate]

A teenager is cast in the Mercury Theatre production of "Julius Caesar" directed by a young Orson Welles in 1937. The full synopsis on imdb basically gives the whole story away so only read it if you are interested in spoilers.

This is what my Greenwich Picturehouse newsletter says, I assume it will be the same for all Picturehouses:

ME AND ORSON WELLES (12A) + satellite Q&A with director Richard Linklater and actors Zac Efron, Christian McKay and Claire Danes

Thursday 19 November, 6.20

It's 1937 and a bored teenager (Zac Efron) bluffs his way into a part in what would be Orson Welles' groundbreaking production of Julius Caesar. Based on Robert Kaplow's novel, ME AND ORSON WELLES recreates a long-lost New York theatrical landmark - The Mercury - and the creative crucible of Welles' career.

A live satellite Q&A from The Gate in Notting Hill will follow the preview screening.

Tickets can be booked online or by calling 0871 704 2059

I am wondering whether we will see at least a comp for this?

I also recall destresserai seeing this over a year ago already in a special screening. Here's what she had to say:

Just back from Wimbledon and seeing "Me & Orson Wells" scheduled to be out 2009. Security was tight. All tickets checked, bags searched and phones taken away and stored during screening but this was pretty much expected as it was a "film focus group". Questionnaires had to be completed after the screening etc.

A relatively good character driven film which took the time to explore the characters fully but at times seemed to be quite slow.

Christian McKay was excellent as Orson Wells and cleverly portraited the man as the egotistical, manipulative character that he is believed to have been.

Zac Efron played the part of Richard extremely well and showed his more serious side showing the optimistism and naivety of youth.

Claire Danes plays Sonya, the main female character, who befriends Richard and is monumental in teaching him the ways of the world but ultimately knows what she has to do to better herself.

A whole range of excellent supporting cast but ultimately the film falls a little short of the mark for me.

Many a young film goer will go because of Zac Efron but I fear that many will not have a clue as to who Orson Welles was and therefore the film will untimately go over their heads and may even seem dull for them.

A 7/10 for me for this one - but do watch out for free screenings next year as it is worthy of a free evening out!!

[EthanRunt]

Been waiting for a long time for another Linklater film, looks rather dull in comparison to his best stuff, but we'll see.

[f3lix]

Time to give this site another mention

The Mercury Theatre on the Air

I have only listened to the infamous 'The War Of The Worlds broadcast' great stuff!
Must try some others.

[Ms Thrifty]

Saw the trailer on Thursday 5 November and UK release date is 4 December, so definitely about time for previews to be announced, if there are to be any...

[andrews]

We saw the trailer yesterday, and it looks interesting....I think!
Let's hope for some free previews. Things have dried up here in the North East.

[cheekyweelassie]

Got this email tonight from The Gate in Notting Hill. Seems like there are still some tickets available for the film preview and Q&A.

Special Event:

ME AND ORSON WELLES
Thursday 19 November, 6.20

Preview screening of Richard Linklater's spectacular new film, followed by an in-person Q&A with the director, Zac Efron, Claire Danes and Christian McKay.

It's 1937 and bored New York teenager Richard Samuels (Efron, HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL 3) fantasises about a Broadway acting career. As Orson Welles (McKay) prepares for what would become the Mercury Theatre's ground-breaking production of Julius Caesar, a chance meeting with the theatrical prodigy suddenly makes Richard's dream a realistic prospect.

We have a few tickets still available, book yours here or on 0871 704 2058.

[superhero]

I am sensing Me and Orson Welles preview screenings coming soon....

[nintendo]

Saw this film tonight via the Guardian comp, and wow, fabolous film, i enjoyed every second of it. The actor playing Orson Welles (Christian Mckay) is scarily identical to Welles and gives an unbelievable performance,also a gd performance from Zac Efron.

I think the best aspect of the film is the way it evokes the period so well, the whole set reminded me of 'Changeling'. Definately one to watch, the director was quite funny in the Q+A afterwards aswell

9.5/10

[ejwrank]

We saw this at Moving Picture Company screening room last night thanks to the Guardian. We were split on this. I liked it--found it very enjoyable, never demanding but entertaining. My husband thought it a waste of time -- full of cliches and over the top performances. We did both enjoy the
Q & A with director Richard Linklater who was very unassuming and very unHollywood. He said how much he enjoyed filming in the UK (mainly on the Isle of Man) and how wonderful British actors are. And no matter what you think of Zac Efron (High School Musical heartthrob), he does come of age in this.

Glad to say hello to a_person and Marialionza before the film.

[andrews]

Time to give this site another mention

The Mercury Theatre on the Air

I have only listened to the infamous 'The War Of The Worlds broadcast' great stuff!
Must try some others.

Thanks for this VERY interesting link, f3lix. I'm going to check this site more thoroughly! I remember reading about the first time 'The World of the Worlds' was broadcast on the airwaves in America - the public were thrown into panic because they thought it was really happening. That's fantastic radio!!