Oscar-Worthy? Christian McKay IS Orson Welles…
Last week I had the opportunity to check out the new opus ME AND ORSON WELLES by local film hero Richard Linklater. While I was rather disappointed to miss the chance to sing a High School Musical duet with Zac Efron at the Highball after-party (I had been practicing Start of Something New), I was elated to witness one of the greatest acting performances I’ve seen in a long time. Newcomer Christian McKay bursts on to the screen with an incredible tour-de-force performance as a very young Orson Welles in the throes of producing his now-legendary stage production of JULIUS CAESAR. Brash, bold, brilliant, arrogant and truly childish, the gigantic personality of one of cinema’s greatest auteurs was brought to life with such realism that I often lost the sense that I was watching a modern film and felt I was instead viewing archival footage of Welles holding court.
ME AND ORSON WELLES opens Friday at the Alamo South Lamar. We’re hoping that this one falls into the category of “the little film that could.” There’s very little national-level promotion and the lead is a total unknown, but if you A) want to see one of the most electrifying performances of the year, B) love Shakespeare or Orson Welles or C) fantasize about singing duets with Zac Efron (the “me” of ORSON WELLES AND ME), then this is your sure-bet movie ticket this weekend.
Tickets and info here.
Tags: alamo, Alamo South Lamar, lamar, Movie, tour
December 9th, 2009 at 8:33 pm
No thanks, this movie looks like crap.
December 9th, 2009 at 9:17 pm
Best movie I saw at SXSW this year. This movie captures the thrills and lies that lure creative people into making movies, art, and music. It’s about the muse that drives creative people and the rush of making it happen. Orson Welles is a force of nature in this movie, but it’s not his story, he’s just a part of it. Linklater’s best film that’s not set in Seventies high school Austin.
December 10th, 2009 at 1:52 am
I saw this at SXSW also, and I also thoroughly enjoyed it. Great performances all around.
January 3rd, 2010 at 12:48 am
col. hans landa is this years favorite, but giving an oscar to a guy who plays himself but in 3 different languages is a bit obsured considering the performance by this guy christian mckay. I think this guy might be on his way to an oscar after this one. the film starts off brutally slow and is kind of caried by the actors, but once it picks up, the film defenantly ends perfectly. stunning film
January 6th, 2010 at 12:16 am
If you compare interviews of the real orson ((http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_cEadctJdwM&feature=related)) and compare it to christian mckays performance in MAOW, then you must logically see that christian mckay gave the performance of the year, for he looks, talks, and IS orson welles. If your an academy member, don’t be a dumbass and vote for hans landa from inglorious bastards. Think wisely and tell your academy friends of mckays performance and how they should vote for him. GEt on yourshit and vote for mckay and the small indy crew of linklater. Also with the 10 noms this year for best pic i think this deserves a nom.
Also, tha bauce is right on, MEOW was phenominal, and the suspence builds up and beautifully portrays the stage and play life.