On Feb 6, 3:57=A0am, "Stone me" wrote:
> I found this a sanitised biopic of Cole's
> life, but then I suspect many biopics are.
>
> The title, and I read reality, demanded a
> knockout lady for his wife, and Ashley Judd
> was no disappointment here.
> Her performance as the impossibly broadminded
> wife, needing only "the rest of him" after he
> was finished with his male lover, was a very
> fine one.
>
> Kevin Kline, as the younger Porter was fine,
> as expected, though I did not take to the
> aged version who sits in on his own life story.
>
> I am a fan of Porters Songs and as such, I felt
> the choice to present some of them as modern
> re-interpretations was a disaster.
>
> When every ear is used to hearing "Every Time
> You Say Goodbye, I Die a Little" sung so well
> by Ella, it was folly not to have performed it
> as it may have been done in the Dancing Years,
> to a metronomic dance tempo.
>
> The worst torture was listening to "Begin the
> Beguine", which was more of a Jazz
> re-interpretation, and invited comparison with
> perhaps thousands of better ones.
>
> The choice to allow Robbie Williams into the
> picture was strange, but using Elvis Costello,
> to "sing" "Let's Misbehave" was edging towards
> comedy.
> I guess even Elvis would not place his voice
> as the formost of his talents.
>
> I think the movie could be a trial for those
> who are not Cole Porter fans.
>
> Stone me.
I always liked his "Love at least a small percent of me do..."
And who else would come up with "A trip to the moon on gossamer
wings..." |