In one of the first of many bio pics coming out this year, "De-Lovely" also joins the musical film re-vamp Hollywood had success in doing with "Chicago" two years ago. Kevin Kline (Life as a House) and Ashley Judd (Where the Heart Is) star in this superbly performed film, capturing the life of musical theater/film writer Cole Porter and wife Linda.

"De-Lovely" was one of the most interesting and original films I've seen this year, and by far the most well acted. It leaves me thinking why it was released in the summer. "De-Lovely," albeit a musical, does not ride on summer production values and may get forgotten come Academy Award nomination time.

The picture's originality comes in the form of its presentation. Porter, played by Klein, at a ripened and disfigured age, sits with an unnamed theater director, played by Jonathan Pryce (Tomorrow Never Dies), attempting to "stage" the chapters of Porters' life. However, they are consistently hung up on his relationship with wife Linda Porter, played by Judd.

"De-Lovely" says a lot about mistakes and taking great things in one's life for granted. Porter is depicted according to his reputation; a raving homosexual, running around with cast members and guy-groupies. His devoted wife sits in the audience or at home, accepting of this lifestyle and behavior. Their relationship is founded on love, and not on sex. Even though they have their intimacy from time to time.

The film, in my opinion, is flavored too heavily with Porter's tunes. It began to resemble the drawn out rehearsal sequences of "Topsy-Turvey" from six years ago, a biopic about Gilbert and Sullivan. However, if you can work through the musical numbers and lengthy rehearsals, then the last hour of the picture is staggering with Kline and Judd's high chemistry and performances, as they attempt to grasp onto the characters' unusual love though the their golden years.

"De-Lovely" has a lot of heart and is extremely well presented, despite its crappy title. The title refers to Porter's song of the same name, but the picture is about his relationship with Linda and not his career. The title does not give it justice and is my only hang up.

It has a solid cast, a bunch of cameos from music industry heavy hitters like Alanis Morrisette and Sheryl Crow, as well as a very well framed tale at the hands of director Irwin Winkler (Life as a House, At First Site) make "De-Lovely" one for the summer's must see list.

Benn - Where's the Humanity?