De-Lovely (DVD, 2004)

This movie is very underrated with critics. It deserves much better than it got.

Kevin Kline is great as the real Cole Porter with all his blemishes intact--especially his homosexual lifestyle hidden behind the true heroine of the movie, his wife Linda, also played wonderfully by Ashley Judd.

The movie is sort of like an opera, showing Cole Porter from his beginnings as a bit player-entertainer at parties in Paris. It showcases many of his songs--some of which appear naturally in the story and others that are sung by some of the biggest musical stars of today. Sheryl Crow performs "Begin the Beguine." Alanis Morissete sings "Let's Do It." Elvis Costello sings the title song.

We follow Cole and Linda from their courtship in Paris, to their years in Venice where he met and worked with Irving Berlin, to his Broadway years, to his years in Hollywood. We see him lose his leg to an accident while riding a horse. We see Linda separated from him several times, but she was truly his soulmate and biggest fan. And yes, they did have a sexual relationship. Linda's biggest sorrow was a miscarriage the night of the opening of "Begin the Beguine." When she died, they were together. Cole Porter was pretty much lost after that.

This movie is one that you will want to watch again and again. The music is fabulous and has been updated to the styles and sounds that we expect in 2007. The costumes and scenery are fabulous. This is not just a musical. It is a biography of a flawed man that is saved by a wonderful woman.

Just the picture on the cover caught my attention. I liked it but it's not for everyone. Love old music and wanted to learn about the life of composer Cole Porter. There is happiness on one side of their lives and so much sadness on the other side of this complex love between Linda, Cole and his other interests. Ashley Judd is great in this film. Love the glamour of the time.

The music is great. The love story(a white marriage) was truthful but the homosexual daliances by Porter were a bit of a turnoff. It was more factual than Night and Day and didn't disapoint. I loved the Elvis Costello and Alanis Morisette songs even though the original lyrics have been made more politically correct...come on, If your gonna tell the whole truth then tell the whole truth. Kevin Kline was great.

When the movie came out at the theaters I went to see it and was greatly disappointed due to the contents because I grew up with the Cary Grant film of Cole Porter which I now know was totaly "Hollywood" also the movie theater screwed up the showing and I did get my money back. Even though no bio film is true absolute facts "De-Lovely" made me research Cole Porter's life and understand his music. I also enjoyed his music sung by newer vocalists and decided to buy the cd for future enjoyment.

This film is a must-have for those who are fans of Cole Porter. It is not only eye-opening but a poignant portrayal of Porter's life, particularly for the time period as well. Opens one's mind to the history of the time period as well as the mind-set of those people. Filled to the brim with glorious Porter favorites, and ends on a high note as well as an uplifiting message to remind us, life doesn't end at death, it begins.