McKay, Marsan and Chaplin - these guys were great.

I wanted to like this, but it just couldn't hold my interest.

consonants, consonants, consonants. and don't forget the vowels.

*Minor spoilers* Fascinating evocation of Welles and his Mercury theatre in the 40s. Christian McKay rightly dominates with a superb rendition of Welles, but he is matched by Marsan's flawless John Houseman. A film with small details to savour, I especially enjoyed Efron's romance with Zoe Kazan which provided a touching counterpoint to the relationship with Danes' character. Also loved the telling scene outside the theatre when Welles lets his guard down and quietly thanks Houseman. A charmer.

Neat film that offsets a bit of trite coming of age shmaltz with a load of period swagger and a breathtaking performance by Christian McKay as Orson Welles.

Don't ask me why I saw this movie, I just did okay! And I was plesantly surpriced. Efron can actually act, hmmm who knew? McKay is the star and the real reason to watch this movie. His portayal of Welles is impressive and rather convincing. He manages to show Welles' larger than life personality, his genius, but also his selfishness and almost childlish behavior.

I may be a little biased with this score due to my love for Welles, but man does Christian McKay nail this performance. His mannerisms and behaviour are incredible. When he isn't on screen the movie certainly isn't quite the same. I can see myself fast forwarding to McKay's scenes upon multiple viewings.

More interesting for what it's about than what it tries to say.

This is a great movie that deals with the love of art among other subjects. Christian McKay does an excellent job with his performance of Orson Wells. This movie gives an accurate portrayal of what it is like rehearsing and putting on a play. Richard Linklater has done an outstanding job here, I highly recommend this film.

Effortless, pitch-perfect, period storytelling at the service of mythmaking, there is nevertheless nary a false note in the whole movie, not even in the schmaltzy ending. As Claire Danes' character says: The whole industry is founded on bullshit, no? Director Richard Linklater just happens to be more honest than most. Christian McKay as Welles is a wonder.

pleasant enough but unmemorable.

An absolutely stellar performance by McCay saves this movie.

A film to see for anyone who loves theater or Orson Welles. Christian McKay's performance is staggering in both line delivery and physical presence, almost as if he's channeling the iconic director himself. Efron is decent and serviceable, if not particularly remarkable in McKay's shadow. The drama and tension build until we finally see the finished Julius Caesar, an extended sequence of wonderful acting, choreography, and lighting.

My enjoyment of this film is directly related to the stellar performance of Christian McKay who delivers a superb portrayal of Orson Welles. He was undoubtedly an artistic genius but he was also completely aware of his brilliance which gave him a distinct sense of superiority. The negative factor in the film is Zac Efron. He's never actually bad but his acting is never anything strong, which is a problem when he is the central character for the film. Still, it's worth seeing for McKay.

As a coming-of-age tale, it isn't much, but as an exhibition of old-fashioned studio filmmaking, luxurious sets and costumes lusciously photographed, it is more than adequate. In eye and in mouth, in glance and in cadence, the unknown British actor McKay magically conjures the Welles we know, although given his age it would be the Welles of, say, The Third Man or Othello.

An interesting look into show business....that I will forget 2 minutes after finishing this review. McKay, of course, makes an awesome Welles. Ultimately there was a nice sentiment at the end about young people looking for their place in the arts world that resonated with me...so that was...nice.

Not a great film but a very good and entertaining one. McKay steals the show with his Welles portrayal.

A totally enjoyable, somewhat innocuous film about life in the theater buoyed up by Christian McKay's superb impersonation of Orson Welles.

McKay can't do it all. Sparsely witty writing sandwiched between dull establishing scenes, the copious pandering to the image of Welles or blatant, character breaking set ups for one liners. Efron turned up without an idea for any real character then stumbles unconvincingly through the 30's era dialogue. Linklater should have tried to get more out of him considering he is the 'me' in Me and Orson Welles.

If you love the theater and/or are captivated by Welles, you will enjoy this film. There's a genuine warmth of feeling toward these characters and this milieu that shines through in the direction. Fun asides--references both visual and verbal to Welles' film career--add an extra layer of light-heartedness to the already largely comic script. Most notable here though is the wonderful performance by McKay as Welles, particularly in his vocal delivery. It's a shame this film has been so overlooked.

This film manages to be enjoyable, worth watching, hopeful, boring and average all at the same time.

Impressive impersonation by McKay in a decent (albeit rather disappointing) cookie-cutter film.

Moral of the story - It sucks to be Zac Efron, no wait its Orson Welles is a jerk and its actually that you have your whole life ahead of you. Doesn't deviate from its standard route yet a nice film. Efron can hold is own and McKay gives an especially good portrayal of Orson Welles.

"The film's pleasures are to be found almost entirely in the meticulously recreated period design." - Andrew Schenker

Honestly? Zac Efron cannot act. In fact, he fucking sucks! His, at best, 'Days of Our Lives'-worthy acting is perfect for crap like High School Musical (I - L) but this is the real world, little Zac. You're the Paris Hilton of movies; what the fuck would you do without your good looks and charm? You are dirt. I even prefer the abysmal Jennifer Aniston to you! Stop beguiling the wonderful mr. Linklater, he deserves much better than you. Hey, maybe you could do one of those Twilight movies?

Seems that everybody treated this as an actor driven film with a barely decent Efron and fantastic McKay. To me this is a Linklater show, his period depiction is near perfect as Dazed and Confused. This is not a heavyhanded film, it is as passionate and driven as the subject: the theater and Orson.

This overall charming film belongs to Christian McKay. In an outstanding way he has captivated Welles' behaviour and mannerisms perfectly without neglecting to give the character a touch of his own personality, which keeps the performance from becoming an imitation. The rest of cast - including boy wonder Efron - performs solidly.