Me and Orson Welles

In the new movie "Me and Orson Welles," a 17-year-old Richard Samuels (Zac Efron) meets theater director Orson Welles (Christian McKay). Welles gives the young actor the role of Lucius in the first Broadway production of "Julius Caesar" in 1937. The movie is about Richard's experiences behind the scenes of the production, insight into Welles' life and his first love. Richard falls for the determined production assistant, Sonja Jones (Claire Danes). A love triangle soon appears between Sonja, Richard and Welles.

This a period piece from the setting to the music. The film shines through McKay's embodiment of Orson Welles. A fan of Welles will see the energetic and headstrong personality perfectly portrayed by McKay. Efron's character is the perfect balance against the rough and tough Welles. I was pleasantly surprised by the acting job of Efron. I had put one against him, because of his teeny bopper following, before I even saw the film, but he really shows some talent. Danes plays an ambitious production assistant nicely as well.

The movie takes the myths of Orson Welles' life in the industry and creates a funny realism but never makes it seem over the top. Directed by Richard Linklater, also known for "Dazed and Confused" and "Fast Food Nation," seems to have fun playing with the behind the scenes antics of comedy, drama and set-up that takes play before a show. He makes the Mercury Theatre, production of "Julius Caesar" and the life of Welles through young eyes heartwarming, funny and believable.

Robert Kaplow's novel of the same name bases "Me and Orson Welles" on the historical fiction. The production and company of Orson Welles' "Julius Caesar" is based on history, but the story of Richard Samuels is fiction.