To end my calendar year, but not my Musical Year, I have a compare and contrast...
These two films are night and day in terms of how they present their story and even differ in major biographical details of their subject, Cole Porter. While the films are separated by much more than the 58 years between their making, both are enjoyable in their own ways.
Night and Day was made in 1946 and stars Cary Grant as Porter and Alexis Smith as wife Linda.
De-Lovely was released in 2004 and stars Kevin Kline as Porter and Ashley Judd as Linda. In both cases Mr. Porter should feel flattered, not just in that two very attractive actors portray him, but also in their very nuanced, sympathetic performances.
The earlier bio-pic contains what must be many untruths in its rather whitewashed version of the Porters' lives. Mr. Porter's homosexuality is, of course, not revealed or discussed in the slightest way, according to the codes of the day. The marital troubles between the couple seem due to Cole's focus on his work. Linda Leigh's first unhappy marriage is never mentioned, and in this version Cole meets Linda much earlier in life than really happened. At the end of the film, though, when Linda returns to the United States and Cole's arms, Mr. Grant does not give the typical "happy ending" face. The music presented all falls in shows-within-the-movie settings and are mostly production numbers. They are good, even if they often go outside the confines of what would be possible on stage; the Busby Berkeley-like shots from above are particularly irksome.
The Kline/Judd version of the story is a lot more prurient and focuses a lot (maybe too much) on Mr. Porter's homosexuality, Mrs. Porter's declining health, and the couple's marital spats. The story-telling technique is also quite different, in that Porter is looking back on his life presented as a sort of stage show, with the Angel Gabriel (Jonathan Pryce) as guide. The songs and production numbers sometimes are within the story, but are more often commenting on Porter's life. Many of the songs are performed by singers outside the world of musical theater, with varying results. Diana Krall and Natalie Cole are very successful with their songs; Sheryl Crow and Alanis Morissette, less so in my view. John Barrowman (now known for Torchwood, but with a musical theater past) is rather charming in his small role and one song. Elvis Costello is physically nearly unrecognizable as a band-leader; but then he sings and it sounds just like Elvis Costello. The other men (Robbie Williams, Lemar, Mick Hucknall) who sing songs within the film were unknown to me. The finale ("Blow, Gabriel, Blow" from Anything Goes) is a good number, but felt just slightly under produced for my tastes.
In all, though, both films make we want to listen to more Cole Porter in my Year. Particularly to the novelty songs that may not be in shows--like "Miss Otis Regrets" and "Experiment". I have an Amazon gift card that may just help in finding CDs of this stuff, so, let's do it.
Night and Day
released in 1946 by MGM
Cast: Cary Grant, Alexis Smith, Monty Wooley (as himself)
De-Lovely
released in 2004 by MGM
Cast: Kevin Kline, Ashley Judd, Jonathan Pryce, James Wilby, John Barrowman, Diana Krall, Sheryl Crow, Elvis Costello, Alanis Morissette, Natalie Cole
