De-Lovely

2004, Musical/Biography, 2h 5m

157 Reviews 10,000+ Ratings

What to know

critics consensus

Musical numbers save movie from cliches. Read critic reviews

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De-Lovely Videos

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De-Lovely Photos

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Movie Info

At the staging of a musical production based on his life story, songwriter Cole Porter (Kevin Kline) begins to reflect on his life and career. As he trades notes with the play's director, Gabe (Jonathan Pryce), Porter recollects his meteoric rise on Broadway during the mid-1920s and his first meeting with wife and muse Linda Thomas (Ashley Judd). He also recalls his many extramarital, homosexual dalliances, and the deep depression and seclusion of his final years.
  • Rating:
    PG-13 (Sexual Content)
  • Genre:
    Musical, Biography, Drama, Lgbtq+
  • Original Language:
    English
  • Director:
    Irwin Winkler
  • Producer:
    Irwin Winkler, Rob Cowan, Charles Winkler, Stephen Endelman
  • Writer:
    Jay Cocks
  • Release Date (Theaters):
     wide
  • Release Date (Streaming):
  • Box Office (Gross USA):
    $13.3M
  • Runtime:
  • Distributor:
    Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
  • Sound Mix:
    SDDS, Dolby Digital, DTS, Surround

Cast & Crew

Kevin Kline
Cole Porter
Ashley Judd
Linda Porter
Jonathan Pryce
Gabe
Kevin R. McNally
Gerald Murphy
Allan Corduner
Monty Woolley
Sandra Nelson
Sara Murphy
Keith Allen
Irving Berlin
James Wilby
Edward Thomas
Kevin McKidd
Bobby Reed
Peter Polycarpou
L.B. Mayer
Richard Dillane
Bill Wrather
Edward Baker-Duly
Boris Kochno
Natalie Cole
Musical Performer - "Ev'ry Time You Say Goodbye"
Elvis Costello
Musical Performer - "Let's Misbehave"
Sheryl Crow
Musical Performer - "Begin the Beguine"
Alanis Morissette
Musical Performer - "Let's Do It, Let's Fall In Love"
Caroline O'Connor
Musical Performer - "Anything Goes"
Angie Hill
Ellin Berlin
John Barrowman
Jack , Musical Performer - "Night and Day"
Nicola Dawn
Party Guest (uncredited)
Irwin Winkler
Director
Irwin Winkler
Producer
Rob Cowan
Producer
Charles Winkler
Producer
Jay Cocks
Screenwriter
Gail Egan
Executive Producer
Simon Channing Williams
Executive Producer
Tony Pierce-Roberts
Cinematographer
Eve Stewart
Production Design
Julie Monroe
Film Editing
Janty Yates
Costume Design
Stephen Endelman
Music Arranger
Stephen Endelman
Producer
Georgina Lowe
Line Producer
Sarah Monzani
Makeup Designer
Simon Thompson
Hair Designer
Nina Gold
Casting
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Critic Reviews for De-Lovely

All Critics (157) | Top Critics (46) | Fresh (76) | Rotten (81)
Full Review… Nell Minow Common Sense Media Full Review… Neil Smith BBC.com Full Review… Peter Rainer New York Magazine/Vulture Full Review… Eleanor Ringel Cater Atlanta Journal-Constitution Full Review… Kimberley Jones Austin Chronicle Full Review… Jay Boyar Orlando Sentinel Full Review… Debbie Lynn Elias Behind The Lens Full Review… Peter Canavese Groucho Reviews Full Review… Brian Orndorf BrianOrndorf.com Full Review… Gregory Freitas Hollywood.com Full Review… Joe Lozito Big Picture Big Sound Full Review… Prairie Miller Long Island Press
View All Critic Reviews (157)

Audience Reviews for De-Lovely

  • Sep 18, 2012
    Being a musician who has played most of these songs makes it hard to be objective. This is a far superior film to the Cary Grant biopic made when Porter was alive. It seems accurate in its portrayal of Porter. The cast is excellent. I didn't like the reworking of Begin the Beguine. Other than that I was happy with it. The ending moved me.
    Morris N Super Reviewer
  • Apr 30, 2011
    Irwin Winkler hit it out of the ballpark with this one. Wonderful performances by Kevin Kline as the musical legend Cole Porter. Ashley Judd was spectacular as Porter's wife. The music is absolutely fantastic with appearances by Sheryl Crow, Natalie Cole, Elvis Costello, Diana Krall and Alanis Morrisette. Popcorn bag goes to Kevin Kline who brought depth and dimension to the Cole Porter character.
    George K Super Reviewer
  • Apr 04, 2010
    The music, so vividly emphasized, made this film more of a musical in itself than a biopic of Cole Porter, a man whose life was riddled with rumors, infidelities, and the his love for his soulmate, Linda. In short, it was almost a musical written by Oscar Wilde.
    Spencer S Super Reviewer
  • Dec 13, 2008
    The acting and music are really good, but focuses way too much on his homosexual interests and weird-as-hell personal life. God bless Ashley Judd.
    Derek D Super Reviewer
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