De-Lovely: The Cole Porter Story (Special Edition)

"De-Lovely" is "Armedeus" set in the 20th Century. Don't look for accuracy -- though it is based on much of what we knew about the primary charcteres, composer Cole Porter and his wife Linda Lee Thomas, played by Kevin Kline and Ashley Judd. Look for music -- wonderful music, from the first bit of Cole Porter musical genius to the finale. This delightful movie is best described as a musical fictitious biograph about a consumate composer for the stage; the genius who gave the world songs that will remain part of our repertoire probably forever, "Let's Fall in Love," "Be a Clown," "Night and Day," "True Love," "Anything Goes," "Begin the Beguine," and the hauntingly beautiful songs "So in Love," "Love for Sale," and of course, "In the Still of the Night."Some may complain about the songs that were sung by pop music artists of today, but I still enjoyed them, When you listen to the heartrendering words and music in "Love for Sale," or the beautifully biographical lovesong, "In the Still of the Night," anyone is going to feel the music pulling at them.So don't look for the real biographical story of Cole Porter, or try to understand the man and his complexities as addressed in the movie. No, just sit back and be entertained by some great music and dancing interwoven with a wonderful love story.I don't care what the snobs say; I found the movie absolutely "De-Lovely."

this story, told so carefully and lovingly,left no doubt about the chosen lifestyle of it's central character without taking away from the deep love,respect and yet heartfelt regret of the way it 'had to be'.I thoroughly enjoyed this movie,its honesty and the skill of the actors so well cast in this case. Ashley Judd as the quintessential Linda( Lord can ANYONE cry prettier or more convincingly than she?) was the perfect foil for the devoted yet self indulgent lover that Cole was. their story broke my heart! the whole stylish presentation and attention to detail that only Mr Kline can offer the viewer is very apparent and appreciated.the fact that they wore the clothes of the period with such a natural air made one believe they were born to the period and not merely visiting. the only hiccup for me, and it was a minor one , was Sheryl Crows rendition of "Begin the Beguine" Don't expect the steamy ,rhythmic number that used to make us all close our eyes and surrender to the passion of the original mood of the song,instead,especially if you are "of the era" you may be jarred unforgivably into the modern world of music, But only for a moment, you will soon willingly retake your front row seat for the experience of Mr Klines' genius of interpretation. i have already watched this movie over and over and i thank everyone involved for this gift

DeLovely is a timeless film based on the life of Cole Porter that pulls no punches about the man as he was, and the wonderful music he created. Kevin Kline is at his best, presenting the man at many different stages in his life, and there is a wonderful tongue-in-cheek vignette about the much-touted, largely fabricated, well sanitized 1950's (?) film biography that starred Cary Grant, carefully avoiding the fact that Cole Porter, as well as his good friend, Monty Wooley were mostly closeted gay men at a time when the closet was a much safer place to be. In this version, however, we see these men with their genius and their idiosyncrasies portrayed with honesty and empathy, and we are treated to a full repertoire of Porter's wide ranging music, including some of the most powerful love songs ever written. As an impressionable child growing up in the 1940s in an extended family of music lovers who deeply appreciated his work, Porter's songs were indeed the music of my childhood --- and my adulthood -- and remain among my favorites. I had seen this film via television shortly after it became available and most definitely wanted this timeless, beautiful film in my personal collection.

Great love story and life story about Cole Porter. Romancing his life, if you don't mind the homosexuality. Lovely way they intwinded his music throughout the movie. Love Kevin Kline and Ashley Judd in their roles.

J'ai adoré. La vie de Cole Porter, ses compositions, les costumes, le jeu des artistes, merci à M. Winkler. Référence à Fred Astaire qui fut un des grands maîtres de la comédie musicale, pour "Night and day" . Vous appréciez le jazz, pas d'hésitation, déguster ce petit joyau !

Tres agreable, plein de nostalgie, costumes elegants, un regal musical pour ceux qui rapelle ces airs. JE N'AI PAS D'AUTRE MOTS A DIRE POUR FAIRE ONZE MOTS!

Why this film hasn't been acclaimed worldwide, I don't know.It has a fantastic sense of style with performances that are faultless. Kline and Judd are so perfectly matched and believable that you become convinced you're watching the real people.But it's the music that wins you over - and the way in which it is woven into the story so that you suddenly see every song in a whole new way as it becomes an illustration of Porter's own life, weaknesses, passions or longing.The entire basis of the film is that Porter (Kline in wonderful prosthetics) sees his life flash before him in the final moments of his life. This is 'orchestrated' by 'Gabe' (Gabriel) who acts as the director of the 'show' that Kline is watching in its final rehearsal. he is thus able to comment on his own life as it is acted out before him.Truly wonderful and definitely not to be missed.

Hollywood hat die Musikerbiographien wieder entdeckt. Nach dem Biopic „ Ray" erscheint hier in „De -Lovely" nach 1946 die zweite Cole-Porter-Story. Doch einen erfolgreichen Film hatte schon Michael Curtiz 1946 nicht gedreht, als er die Hauptrolle mit Cary Grant besetzte, aber wohlweislich die Homosexualität verschwieg. Ohnehin wäre es schwierig gewesen vierzig Jahre nach dem Tod des Komponisten ein großes Publikum für die „Cole-Porter-Story" zu begeistern.Winkler stürzt sich vornehmlich auf die tragischen Momente im Leben des Künstlers, und ohne Mut auf das Weglassen des Belanglosen, verliert er bei der Abspulung der Lebensstationen des Cole Porters, das Entscheidende aus den Augen.Den angemessenen Film hat ergo auch Irwin Winkler nicht gedreht. Im Mittelpunkt des Films steht die Beziehung Porters (Kevin Kline) zu seiner späteren Frau Linda (Ashley Judd). Zwischen dem Paar gilt als stillschweigend vereinbart: Am Tag und in der Nacht passieren unterschiedliche Dinge. Linda, eine selbstbewusste, zielstrebige Frau, eine der schönsten und klügsten Frauen der Pariser Gesellschaft, entscheidet sich trotz Kenntnis der Homosexualität den Künstler zu heiraten. Die Toleranz die sie ihm in den ersten Ehejahren entgegenbringt, verschwindet mit der Zahl zunehmender gleichgeschlechtlicher Affären und der lebensbedrohenden Krankheit Lindas. Die vielen Szenen aus dem Leben des Paares, die vielen Erfolge und Niederlagen lassen keine glaubwürdige Beziehung des Paares zu. Eigentlich findet der Film überhaupt keine richtige Haltung zu der Person Cole Porters(1893-1964), zu seinem wirklichen Leben. Insofern kann man bei dem Film von einem wirklichen Desaster sprechen, nach dem Motto „Thema verfehlt". Und dennoch gibt es auch Höhepunkte.In der Titelrolle überzeugt Kevin Kline, und auch Ashley Judd, im Film anders wie im Leben an der Seite von Cole Porter, ist nicht nur hübsch, sondern sie überzeugt mit einer recht ordentlichen Schauspielleistung und stellt ihre vielseitigen Talente wieder deutlich heraus. Und natürlich ist De-Lovely auch ein Vergnügen durch das erstaunliche, unaufdringliche eingebrachte Gastaufgebot an Sängern und durch die geradezu Oscar-reife Ausstattung.Alles in allem, trotz aller Kritik, ein unterhaltsamer, leicht beschwingter, geistreicher Film mit viel Musik und einer bezaubernden Ashley Judd. Vielleicht muss man, wie ich, Fan von Ashley Judd sein, um diesen Film zu mögen.

Es una película muy original sobre la vida de uno de los más célebres compositores de su época