Jan 18
Kevin Kline as Cole Porter is De-Lovely
De-Lovely (2004) is a recommended musical-biography about Cole Porter (1891-1964) who many would consider one of America’s most gifted and prolific songwriters.
De-Lovely begins in the final moments of Cole Porter’s life, played by Kevin Kline. Visited by the archangel Gabriel (Jonathan Pryce), Porter is guided to an empty theater to watch his past glories and misdeeds unfold onstage and in flashbacks, with Porter offering direction and corrections.
De-Lovely is primarily about Porter’s extraordinary 35-year relationship with his wife, Linda Lee Porter, played by Ashley Judd. Meeting in Paris in 1918, they soon were married with Linda willingly accepting Cole’s homosexuality, saying, “You like men better than I do.” All that Linda asks is that Cole is discreet.
From his seat in the audience, the elderly Cole Porter insists that their marriage wasn’t one of convenience as history suggests. “The physical side, well, we could take it or leave it. It was the intimacy that was stunning.”
Knowing that Cole Porter preferred young hunks gives new meaning to lyrics like “There’s something wild about you, child, that’s so contagious. Let’s be outrageous, let’s misbehave.”
Love was Cole Porter’s inspiration, his fascination and what puzzled him the most. “I love you always sounded better with music underneath,” he mused, a fact that is best described in his song “What is This Thing Called Love? Who can solve its mystery, why should it make a fool of me?”
In one of my favorite moments in De-Lovely, while in preparation for a Broadway show, Cole Porter coaches the performer (John Barrowman of Torchwood fame) to sing “Night and Day” properly. As the two face each other and begin to sing the song together, the camera circles around Kevin Kline and John Barrowman so that it seems they are, indeed, singing the song to each other – quite an emotional duet.
When the jungle shadows fall
Like the tick tick tock of the stately clock
As it stands against the wall
Like the drip drip drip of the raindrops
When the summer shower is through
So a voice within me keeps repeating you, you, you
Night and day, you are the one
Only you beneath the moon or under the sun
Whether near to me, or far
It’s no matter darling where you are
I think of you,
Night and Day”
When Cole Porter fails to show up at one of his own opening night parties, he having sex with the duet singing man (John Barrowman) in Central Park, and doesn’t come home until the following morning, Linda Lee Porter finds it impossible to ignore his indiscretion and leaves for Paris.
Linda, the ever loyal, understanding, broadminded and loving partner was back at his bedside after a horseback riding accident crushed his legs and stayed with him until her death.
De-Lovely highlights Cole Porter’s ability to combine clever lyrics with unforgettable melodies, leaving a legacy of magical music like “Anything Goes”, “Let’s Misbehave”, “Be a Clown”, “Love For Sale”, “In the Still of the Night”, and “True Love”.
Even educated fleas do it
Let’s do it, let’s fall in love”
