Rating: 8/10

Writer: Holly Gent Palmo & Vincent Palmo Jr. (screenplay), Robert Kaplow (novel)
Director: Richard Linklater
Cast: Zac Efron, Christian McKay, Claire Danes, Ben Chaplin
Studio: Freestyle

Richard Linklater’s directing resume includes the stoner coming of age comedy DAZED AND CONFUSED, a pointed attack at the practices of the fast food industry in FAST FOOD NATION, as well as BEFORE SUNRISE, a film about two people that spend a short but very romantic time together. You also get the based-on-a-true-story bank robber movie, THE NEWTON BOYS, and a pretty funny remake of BAD NEWS BEARS. These are not all of Linklater’s films, but I think you get the idea – the guy likes to jump genres and mood, and tends to have success at it. Of course, he has had few misfires in his career, but overall, a respectable resume.

Linklater continues his admirable diversity with ME AND ORSON WELLES, a nicely-executed period piece that works as a glimpse into the highs and lows of being around greatness. In this case, Orson Welles himself, while also giving an appreciative nod to the theatre way of life.

With ME AND ORSON WELLES, heartthrob Zac Efron continues to show he is more than just abs and perfect hair (not gay, just an excellent observer), like he did in 17 AGAIN. He offers plenty of charisma and what could easily pass for heart in his performance as the film’s lead, the “me” of the title, teenager Richard Samuels. Through a combination of luck and making the most of a situation, Richard comes to have what he thinks is the first major break in his acting career, with a role in Orson Welles’ (convincingly played by Christian McKay) stage production of “Julius Caesar.”

Richard is the lead role, but the boisterous, supremely talented, and fierce Welles is not surprisingly the star of the film. Richard is our necessary key to seeing the world of Welles, one where director and actor Orson Welles is always in constant competition to be right and better than everyone, no matter how low on the totem pole of life or theatre his competition may be. Welles embarrasses and degrades his cast at whim, pays little attention to finances, and is always quick to not give credit when it is due. He is also a driven man with immense skills. When Welles is creating, you appreciate his vision, and when he is acting like a paranoid prick, you are disgusted by how petty he can be, but it is always fascinating to watch this creation of Welles in action. ME AND ORSON WELLES sucks you into the entertaining madness of greatness.

ME AND ORSON WELLES is also an interesting look at theatre, a maddening but rewarding venture itself, like Orson Welles. Through Richard’s experiences, we get to see the hectic nature of being part of a production. The bonds that came about between cast members, the stresses of the long and many rehearsals, a demanding director, and the constant pressure to get it right, are all smartly created and displayed in ME AND ORSON WELLES. In what is definitely a group effort at Linklater’s direction, on-target performances by an ensemble cast that includes Claire Danes and Ben Chaplin, the screenplay by Holly Gent Palmo and Vincent Palmo Jr., and of course the original novel by Robert Kaplow, all had a major part in creating this satisfying account of theatre life.

ME AND ORSON WELLES is another example of Richard Linklater trying to something different and excelling. Let’s hope the man never gets tired of taking chances.