De-Lovely (2004)

User Rating:

6.5/10   

Director:

Irwin Winkler

Writer (WGA):

Jay Cocks (written by)

Release Date:

1 October 2004 (UK)

Genre:

Biography | Drama | Music | Musical | Romance

Tagline:

A love that would never die and music that would live forever.

Plot:

Inspecting a magical biographical stage musical, composer Cole Porter reviews his life and career with his wife, Linda.

Plot Keywords:

Stage | Composer | Hollywood | Marriage | Song

Awards:

Nominated for 2 Golden Globes. Another 1 win & 8 nominations

Cast

Kevin Kline	...	Cole Porter
Ashley Judd	...	Linda Porter
Jonathan Pryce	...	Gabe
Kevin McNally	...	Gerald Murphy
Sandra Nelson	...	Sara Murphy
Allan Corduner	...	Monty Woolley
Peter Polycarpou	...	L.B. Mayer
Keith Allen	...	Irving Berlin
James Wilby	...	Edward Thomas
Kevin McKidd	...	Bobby Reed
Richard Dillane	...	Bill Wrather
Edward Baker-Duly	...	Boris Kochno
Angie Hill	...	Ellin Berlin
Harry Ditson	...	Dr. Moorhead
Tayler Hamilton	...	Honoria Murphy
Lexie Peel	...	Patrick Murphy
Greg Sheffield	...	Boath Murphy
Peter Jessop	...	Diaghilev
Jeff Harding	...	Cody
Susannah Fellows	...	Mrs. L.B. Mayer
Teddy Kempner	...	Stage Manager
Cole Porter	...	Musical Performer - "You're The Top" (archive sound)
Robbie Williams	...	Musical Performer - "It's De-Lovely"
Lemar Obika	...	Musical Performer - "What Is This Thing Called Love?" (as Lemar)
Elvis Costello	...	Musical Performer (song "Let's Misbehave")
Alanis Morissette	...	Musical Performer - "Let's Do It, Let's Fall In Love"
John Barrowman	...	Jack / Musical Performer - "Night and Day"
Caroline O'Connor	...	Musical Performer - "Anything Goes"
Sheryl Crow	...	Musical Performer - "Begin the Beguine"
Mick Hucknall	...	Musical Performer - "I Love You"
Diana Krall	...	Musical Performer (song "Just One of Those Things")
Vivian Green	...	Musical Performer - "Love For Sale"
Lara Fabian	...	Musical Performer - "So In Love"
Mario Frangoulis	...	Musical Performer - "So In Love"
Natalie Cole	...	Musical Performer - "Ev'ry Time You Say Goodbye"
Julian Cannonier	...	Chorus
Elizabeth Cooper Gee	...	Chorus
Jacob Chapman	...	Chorus
Cavin Cornwall	...	Chorus
Matt Dempsey	...	Chorus
Heather Douglas	...	Chorus
Jonathan D. Ellis	...	Chorus (as Jonathan D Ellis)
Jane Fowler	...	Chorus
Jason Gardiner	...	Chorus
Charlotte Gorton	...	Chorus
Nic Greenshields	...	Chorus
Akia Henry	...	Chorus (as Akiya Henry)
Steve West	...	Chorus (as Steve Lawton)
Duncan McVicar	...	Chorus (as Duncan MacVicar)
Karen McSween	...	Chorus
Michelle McSween	...	Chorus
Dale Mercer	...	Chorus
Samantha Modeste	...	Chorus
Odette Perdrisat	...	Chorus
Thern Reynolds	...	Chorus
Rachel Stanley	...	Chorus
Oliver Thornton	...	Chorus
Claire Winsper	...	Chorus
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Gary Blair	...	Barnaby (uncredited)
Nicola Dawn	...	Party Guest (uncredited)
James Fisher	...	Party Guest (uncredited)
Christine Hewett	...	(uncredited)
Andrew Langtree	...	Chorus (uncredited)
Bernadette Jane Vanderkar	...	Bridesmaid (uncredited)

Directed by
Irwin Winkler

Writing credits (WGA)
Jay Cocks		(written by)

Produced by
Simon Channing Williams	....	executive producer
Rob Cowan	....	producer
Gail Egan	....	executive producer
Georgina Lowe	....	line producer
Charles Winkler	....	producer
Irwin Winkler	....	producer

Cinematography by
Tony Pierce-Roberts		(director of photography)

Film Editing by
Julie Monroe

Casting by
Nina Gold

Production Design by
Eve Stewart

Art Direction by
John Hill

Set Decoration by
John Bush

Costume Design by
Janty Yates

Makeup Department
Jacqueline Bhavnani	....	makeup artist
Felicity Bowring	....	makeup artist: Ashley Judd
Beth Miller	....	hair stylist: Ashley Judd
Sarah Monzani	....	makeup designer
Graham Pownall	....	hair stylist
Aaron Sherman	....	prosthetic makeup artist
Maralyn Sherman	....	prosthetic makeup artist
Simon Thompson	....	hair designer
Aurélie Elich	....	makeup artist (uncredited)
Kerry Hormbrey	....	crowd makeup artist (uncredited)
Sara Raeburn	....	makeup artist (uncredited)
Joël Seiller	....	additional hair stylist (uncredited)

Production Management
Danielle Brandon	....	unit production manager
Michael Solinger	....	post-production supervisor

Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
Lee Grumett	....	third assistant director
Dan John	....	second assistant director
Josh Robertson	....	first assistant director
Joy Scott	....	third assistant director
Nick Shuttleworth	....	crowd second assistant director
Charles Winkler	....	second unit director
Phil Clarke	....	crowd assistant director (uncredited)
Nic Jeune	....	first assistant director: second unit (uncredited)

Art Department
Eddie Baker	....	stand-by props
Alan Briant	....	props storeman (as Alan D Briant)
Mark Collisson	....	construction manager
Gary Davies	....	stand-by stagehand
Gary Fox	....	stand-by props
Andrew Grant	....	assistant art director
Martin Lane	....	stand-by painter
Jo Littlejohn	....	construction coordinator
Leon McCarthy	....	stand-by carpenter
Richard Mills	....	property master
Andy Ormesher	....	stand-by rigger
Tom Read	....	stand-by art director
Michael Standish	....	production buyer
Graham Stickley	....	props storeman
Ed Walsh	....	draughtsman
Rhona Wilson	....	assistant buyer
Steve Deane	....	construction supervisor (uncredited)
Jonathan Downing	....	dressing props (uncredited)
Matthew Meadows	....	storyboard artist (uncredited)
Terry Royce	....	props (uncredited)
Don Santos	....	prop man (uncredited)
Howard Weaver	....	scenic artist (uncredited)

Sound Department
Carlie Bergman	....	adr recordist (as Charlie Bergman)
David Boulton	....	adr mixer
Dorian Cheah	....	sound effects editor
Zack Davis	....	adr editor
Steve Finn	....	boom operator
Nick Foley	....	adr recordist
Tim Fraser	....	production sound mixer
Brian Gallagher	....	adr recordist
John Hagenstede	....	sound assistant
Ellen Heuer	....	foley artist
Michael Keller	....	re-recording sound mixer
Carey Milbradt	....	foley editor
Carey Milbradt	....	foley mixer
Douglas Murray	....	adr mixer (as Doug Murray)
Chris Navarro	....	adr recordist
Andy Potvin	....	consultant: Dolby Sound
John Ross	....	re-recording sound mixer
John Ross	....	supervising sound editor
Geoffrey G. Rubay	....	sound effects editor (as Geofferey Rubay)
Walter Spencer	....	dialogue editor
Ted Swanscott	....	adr mixer
Eric Thompson	....	adr mixer
William Towers	....	boom operator (as Will Towers)
Drew Webster	....	digital sound mix technician
Clara Y. Zhu	....	assistant sound editor
Greg Steele	....	adr mixer (uncredited)

Special Effects by
Graham Longhurst	....	special effects coordinator

Visual Effects by
Chris Brown	....	visual effects supervisor
Simon Frame	....	visual effects supervisor
Phil Attfield	....	visual effects supervisor (uncredited)
Johnathan R. Banta	....	digital supervisor: Sassoon Film Design (uncredited)
Robin Beard	....	lead digital effects artist (uncredited)
Barry Berman	....	visual effects (uncredited)
Simon Carr	....	digital compositor (uncredited)
Travis Dutch	....	scanning and recording (uncredited)
Tom Hocking	....	digital compositor (uncredited)
Jan Hogevold	....	production executive: Framestore CFC (uncredited)
Jason Jue	....	digital artist (uncredited)
Isaac Layish	....	digital effects artist (uncredited)
Victoria McDowell	....	visual effects line producer (uncredited)
Dan McRae	....	scanning and recording (uncredited)
Tim Mendler	....	motion control operator (uncredited)
Jeremy Nicolaides	....	digital artist (uncredited)
Paola Varvaro	....	digital artist (uncredited)

Stunts
Alex Cox	....	stunt player
Gerard Naprous	....	horse stunt coordinator

Camera and Electrical Department
John Bailie	....	first assistant camera: "b" camera
Ashley Bond	....	first assistant camera: "a" camera
Richard Carroll	....	second assistant camera: "a" camera
Christopher Craig	....	board operator (as Chris Craig)
Ennio Di Santolo	....	assistant lighting technician
Mick Durlacher	....	rigging lighting technician: Luxembourg
Tommy Finch	....	chief lighting technician
Alice Hobden	....	second assistant camera: "b" camera
Stuart Howell	....	camera operator: "a" camera
Gary Hymns	....	grip: "b" camera
Simon Mein	....	still photographer
Nic Milner	....	camera operator: "b" camera
Darren Quinn	....	key grip
Basil Smith	....	second assistant camera: "a" camera
Peter Versey	....	camera operator: "b" camera
Tracey Wetherill	....	video assist (as Tracie Wetherill)
George 'Spike' White	....	rigging lighting technician
Nick Allsop	....	video assistant (uncredited)
Steve Finberg	....	electrician (uncredited)
Luan Hall	....	assistant camera (uncredited)
Stuart Howell	....	Steadicam operator (uncredited)
Paul Hymns	....	grip (uncredited)
Rod Marley	....	focus puller: "b" camera (uncredited)
Mark Packman	....	electrician (uncredited)
Yair Popritkin	....	assistant electrician (uncredited)
James Smith-Pryor	....	electrician (uncredited)
Nick Stewart	....	video assistant (uncredited)
Garie Wetherill	....	assistant video operator (uncredited)
Eric Wobma	....	best boy electric: Luxembourg (uncredited)

Casting Department
Rosalie Clayton	....	casting assistant
Caitlin McKenna-Wilkinson	....	adr voice casting (as Caitlin McKenna)
Valérie Schiel	....	extras casting: Luxembourg (as Valerie Scheil)
Tamara Gillon	....	casting assistant (uncredited)

Costume and Wardrobe Department
Cheryl Cravedi	....	costumer: Ashley Judd
Andrea Cripps	....	assistant costume designer
Andrew Hunt	....	stand-by costumer
Joe Kowalewski	....	assistant costume supervisor (as Josef Kowalewski)
Finn Lee	....	stand-by costumer (as Lee Croucher)
Sunita Singh	....	stand-by costumer
Clare Spragge	....	costume supervisor
Vanessa Woolgar	....	crowd dresser
Sally Davis	....	costume assistant (uncredited)
Kate Newbold	....	costume trainee (uncredited)
Katja Wolf	....	daily wardrobe assistant (uncredited)
Marie Zelenka	....	stylist (uncredited)

Editorial Department
Jason Barnoski	....	post-production assistant
Jennifer Hatton	....	first assistant editor
Jack Paulson	....	assistant editor
David Rees	....	color timer
Elizabeth Barnette	....	post-production assistant (uncredited)
Mark Wright	....	negative cutter (uncredited)

Music Department
David Arch	....	musician: piano
Becky Bentham	....	music coordinator: Hot House Music Ltd.
Philip Bodger	....	music mixer (as Phil Bodger)
Philip Bodger	....	music recordist (as Phil Bodger)
Philip Bodger	....	score recording engineer (as Phil Bodger)
Gary Chester	....	additional recordist
Anne Collis	....	on-set music contractor
Mitchell Dalton	....	musician: guitars (as Mitch Dalton)
Alec Dankworth	....	musician: double bass
Richard Edwards	....	musician: trombone
Stephen Endelman	....	music arranger
Stephen Endelman	....	music producer
Andrew Findon	....	musician: woodwinds (as Andy Findon)
Rebecca Gatrell	....	music coordinator: Hot House Music Ltd. (as Becca Gatrell)
Gilbert Goldstein	....	arranger: additional arrangements
Isobel Griffiths	....	music contractor
Cathy Jayes	....	musician: rehearsal pianist
Christopher Kennedy	....	music editor
Sonny Kompanek	....	additional music preparation
Sonny Kompanek	....	arranger: additional arrangements
Gary Norden	....	vocal coach: Kevin Kline
Jenny O'Grady	....	chorus mistress
Cole Porter	....	lyricist
Cole Porter	....	music by
Frank Ricotti	....	musician: percussion
Ralph Salmins	....	musician: drums
Ray Swinfield	....	musician: woodwinds
Jamie Talbot	....	musician: woodwinds
Phil Todd	....	musician: woodwinds
Derek Watkins	....	musician: trumpet
Gavyn Wright	....	musician: string leader
Robert Ziegler	....	conductor
Becky Bentham	....	music supervisor (uncredited)
Simon Changer	....	score assistant engineer (uncredited)
Tim Starnes	....	music arranger: piano (uncredited)
Robert Ziegler	....	musical director (uncredited)

Transportation Department
Alexandre Brown	....	transportation captain: Luxembourg (as Alex Brown)
Daniel Brown	....	transportation captain
Mark Crowley	....	driver: Ashley Judd
Mark Williams	....	driver: Kevin Kline
Rob Hempenstall	....	unit driver (uncredited)

Other crew
Libbie Barr	....	script supervisor
Claire Broughton	....	assistant: Gail Egan
Peter Brown	....	location assistant: Luxembourg
Chorley Bunce	....	caterer
Ronni Chasen	....	press representative
June Czerwinski	....	associate: Winkler Films
Mandy Edwards	....	office production assistant
Jo Farrugia	....	assistant: Irwin Winkler
Gilbert Goldstein	....	piano coach: Kevin Kline
Selina Gomeau	....	assistant: Irwin Winkler
David Higgs	....	base runner
Francesca Jaynes	....	choreographer
Ian Kilsby	....	personal security
Neil Lee	....	location manager
Andrew MacLean	....	assistant accountant
Sarah McBryde	....	production coordinator
Justin Miller	....	assistant accountant
Julie Milstead	....	associate to producers
Sophie Moss	....	assistant production coordinator
Leonora Penglase	....	assistant: Simon Channing Williams
Ian Pollington	....	on-set location manager
Darren Price	....	key set production assistant
Maggie Rawlinson	....	assistant choreographer
Joanne Reichling	....	production coordinator: Luxembourg
Marco Ruffatti	....	production assistant
Will Tyler	....	production accountant
Doug Vale	....	first aid
Julia Wilson Dickson	....	dialect coach: Ashley Judd
Henry Woolley	....	assistant location manager
Danielle Craig	....	production assistant (uncredited)
Camille Gatin	....	stand-in: Ms. Judd (uncredited)
Charles Howes	....	tutor (uncredited)
Jonathan Rutter	....	publicist (uncredited)
Matthew Sanders	....	unit publicist (uncredited)
Lynnanne Zager	....	adr loop group (uncredited)

Thanks
Peter L. Felcher	....	the producers express special thanks to: The Cole Porter Trust
Robert Kimball	....	the producers express special thanks to (as Robert E. Kimball)
Robert H. Montgomery Jr.	....	the producers express special thanks to: The Cole Porter Trust, 1923-2000
Roberta Staats	....	the producers express special thanks to: The Cole Porter Trust

Production Companies

• Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM) (presents) (as Metro-Goldwyn Mayer Pictures)
• Potboiler Productions (uncredited)
• Winkler Films (uncredited)

Distributors

• MGM Distribution (2004) (USA) (theatrical) (as MGM Distribution Co.)
• 20th Century Fox Italia (2004) (Italy) (theatrical)
• 20th Century Fox Netherlands (2004) (Netherlands) (theatrical)
• 20th Century Fox (2004) (Japan) (theatrical)
• 20th Century Fox (2004) (Singapore) (theatrical)
• 20th Century Fox of Germany (2004) (Germany) (theatrical)
• Bontonfilm (2004) (Czech Republic) (theatrical)
• Fox-Warner (2004) (Switzerland) (theatrical)
• Gemini Film (2004) (Russia) (theatrical)
• Hispano Foxfilms S.A.E. (2004) (Spain) (theatrical)
• UGC-Fox Distribution (UFD) (2004) (France) (theatrical)
• Warner Bros. (2004) (Philippines) (theatrical)
• MGM Home Entertainment (2004) (Canada) (DVD)
• MGM Home Entertainment (2004) (USA) (DVD)
• Compañía General de la Imagen (CGI) (2005) (Argentina) (theatrical)
• Gateno Films (2005) (Peru) (theatrical)
• 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment (2005) (Brazil) (DVD)
• 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment (2005) (Brazil) (VHS)
• MGM Home Entertainment (2005) (Germany) (DVD)
• Sony Pictures Television (2006) (USA) (TV)

Special Effects

• Men From Mars (visual effects)
• Sassoon Film Design (visual effects)
• Visual Effects Company, The (motion control)

Other Companies

• AFM Lighting  lighting equipment
• Air Lyndhurst Studios  recording studio (as Air Lyndhurst, London)
• Audiolink Radio Communications  walkie talkies
• Avatar Studios  recording studio (as Avatar Studios, New York)
• Borsalino  hats: Kevin Kline
• Breslin Process by Gita Breslin, The  thanks
• Chanel Joaillerie  thanks
• Chapman/Leonard Studio Equipment  dollies (uncredited)
• Church's Shoes  thanks
• Cole Porter Trust, The  the producers express special thanks to
• Columbia Records  soundtrack available on
• Cutting Edge  negative cutting
• DeLuxe Laboratories  color
• Dr. Hauschka Skin Care  thanks
• Electric Picture Solutions  Avid editing systems
• Film & Television Facilities  facility vehicles
• Giorgio Armani  selected wardrobe: Ashley Judd
• Giorgio Armani  wardrobe: Kevin Kline
• Heritage Chauffeur Company  unit drivers provided by
• Hothouse Music  music coordination (as Hot House Music Ltd.)
• John Frieda Inc.  hair color (as John Freida)
• Kodak  motion picture film supplied by
• Laser Pacific Media  digital motion picture laboratory services (as Laser Pacific)
• Location Consulting & Facilities  facilities vehicles (uncredited)
• Mad Dog Casting  crowd casting
• Manta D.S.P.  post-production sound (as DSP)
• Max Factor  makeup
• McDonald and Rutter  unit publicist (as McDonald & Rutter)
• Media Services  stationery supplier
• Midnight Transfer  dailies
• Mikimoto  pearls: Ashley Judd
• NT Audio Visual  optical sound negative (as NT Audio)
• Network Security  security
• On Set Location Services  facilities company (as On-Set Facilities)
• Panavision  cameras and lenses
• Panavision  cranes and dollies
• Paul Mitchell Luxury Haircare  hair products (as Paul Mitchell)
• Sassoon Film Design  title design
• Somlo Antiques  vintage watches
• Sony Music Soundtrax  soundtrack available on
• Sony Music Studios  music mixed at (as Sony Studios, New York)
• Steinway & Sons  thanks
• Van Cleef & Arpels  vintage evening bags: Ashley Judd
• Vedura  jewelry: Ashley Judd
• Warner / Chappell Music  thanks

Also Known As:

Just One of Those Things (USA) (working title)
She's De Lovely (USA) (working title)

MPAA:

Rated PG-13 for sexual content.

Runtime:

125 min

Country:

USA | UK

Language:

English

Color:

Black and White | Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

DTS | Dolby Digital | SDDS

Certification:

Iceland:L | Ireland:12A | Spain:13 | Malaysia:18SX (uncut version) | Malaysia:U (cut version) | South Korea:12 | South Korea:15 (DVD rating) | Argentina:13 | Australia:PG | Finland:K-7 | Germany:o.Al. | Netherlands:MG6 | Singapore:M18 (re-rating) | Switzerland:10 (canton of Geneva) | Switzerland:10 (canton of Vaud) | UK:PG | USA:PG-13 (certificate #40304) | Canada:PG (Ontario) (Canadian Home Video rating)

Filming Locations:

Chiswick House, Burlington Lane, Chiswick, London, England, UK

Company:

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM)

Trivia:

The old Cole Porter make-up took 5 hours to complete.

Goofs:

Continuity: When Cole Porter is in the garden playing his piano and Linda comes back from being away, Cole stands and talks to her, and the cushion on the back of the chair falls down. As he sits down, the cushion is back in place.

Quotes:

Cole Porter: I'm making such a mess trying to say this, I'm glad I'm not trying to write it as a song.
Linda Porter: It would be a beautiful serenade.

Movie Connections:

Version of Night and Day (1946)

Soundtrack:

I Love You

De-Lovely: De-Railed!

As a child of the '30s, I was immersed in Hollywood musicals I bit more than I appreciated. I loved [still do] good music, a clever lyric, a moving melody, with a good degree of tolerance for experimentation with the off-beat and planned discord of a Stan Kenton. Cole Porter always symbolized meticulous word-play wed to impeccable melodic phrasing.

From the opening scenes, the vehicle of "De-Lovely"'s presentation was both an annoyance and a distraction. Was this a bio trying to become a musical; or was it a musical trying to be a bio? While this last observation may be my own singular and subjective problem, I squirmed mentally as I tried to figure out whether the makeup artists wanted to make Kevin Kline look like an aging Jeff Daniels, or a real-time Carl Reiner?

It would be nearly impossible to destroy Porter's music; the quality is there regardless of the interpretation. However, the matching of score selection to fragments of Porter's life, professional development and composing venues is a tawdry hodge-podge, put together like a 1940s 7th grader who scores 37% on an American History matching-columns exam. Some of the costumes, stagings and vocals are ludicrous: the costuming and set design for the Venetian duet, two people who appear not to like each other or the fit of their costumes; and the feeble-voiced crooning of a "Mountie" [Nelson Eddy - sound alike]: NOT!

Then there is the presentation of Porter, the man [Kline] and his long-suffering wife [Ashley Judd, excellent with the role she's given]. We can accept the idiosyncratic behavior of genius; we can appreciate a reasonable degree of self-absorption; we can empathize with a free spirit, suddenly crippled and dependent on others. Mrs. Porter knew exactly what she was getting when she entered the marriage; and while we can empathize with her fraying patience, we might expect a bit more fire from a woman whose husband is presented as sexual and social gadabout concerned only with his own gratification, except when the deeper muse is upon him. Finally, there is the staged number with Louis B. Mayer, which itself, would make the MGM lion dyspeptic. Porter may have been an intellectual snob; and Mayer may have been a boorish bully, but Mayer wasn't stupid.

Even in its presentation of Cole's homosexuality, we are introduced to a trite parade of pretty boys; and, within this shallow presentation, we are expected to see deep, caring relationships. It's been years since I've read a Porter biography, but the viewer might better have been served by suggestion: a lone Porter, for example, headed for the city tenderloin, or a seedy bar down by the waterfront, with the camera fading without further graphic explanation. Porter's encounters weren't all that "pretty."

Ahhh, the music. For me there were three show-stoppers, among them Elvis Costello's "Let's Misbehave." My wife and I, both 21+ X 3 + a bunch. thoroughly enjoyed Sheryl Crowe's minor key and roving "Begin the Beguine." It was a refreshing treatment of a Porter standard, which, although cleverly composed and worded, had become cliché in its title and too rigidly fixed in its arrangements. Crowe tosses out her usually fragile vocalizing; shows her musicianship in her rendering, and best of all, sings and phrases as a mature woman, not a whining little girl. Whether the precise Porter would have approved, I can't say; but Crowe gives the song a well-deserved rebirth.

Best of all is the top-notch performance of "Let's Do It," by Alanis Morissette: her vibratto; her full-of-fun, carefree delivery; her meticulously clear enunciation of the fast-flowing words are superb. The lady nails it!

The movie is a terrible disappointment; but it's not the music that brings it down. It is the trivializing of a privileged, yet tragic life. Its sole salvation is the wedding of gifted contemporary vocalists, with priceless old standards; and it may bring about performance revitalization and longevity enhancement for both.