"Me and Orson Welles", directed by Richard Linklater (2008)

This was a pleasant surprise. It happened to be on TV when we were looking for a film and we decided to watch it knowing nothing about it. It tells the story of a teenager (Zac Efron) who by chance stumbles across Orson Welles (Christian McKay) and finds himself cast in a minor role in a Broadway play at the Mercury Theatre, a modern (and the movie is set in 1937) anti-Facist version of "Julius Caesar". The film takes us through the chaotic rehearsals to the opening night and through Efron's relationship with Welles and with the ambitious production assistant (Clare Danes). A great script and beautifully filmed (in London, the Isle of Man and New York). McKay gives an extraordinary performance as Welles - he won a BAFTA for this - but Efron was I feel miscast and not suited to the role - too much of a good-looking teenager and not enough character. Clare Danes plays her role well and there are several excellent minor characters, including Ben Chaplin as George Coulouris. Well worth a couple of hours of your leisure time !
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