De-Lovely

PLOT

As he is about to die, Porter's life flashes before him in the form of a musical production staged by the archangel Gabriel in the Indiana theater where the composer first performed on stage.

He recalls the night he met his wife, Linda Lee Thomas, a recent divorcee and stunning beauty. From the start, they click and become a devoted couple. Linda is well aware that Cole is gay. Her first husband was abusive to her, but, as she confesses to him on their wedding day, Cole is completely different. Because he loves her and is publicly affectionate, Linda tolerates his extramarital dalliances. During their marriage, Cole's career flourishes. Linda begins the tradition of presenting Cole with a custom designed and engraved Cartier cigarette case at the opening of each new show.

To cheer Linda after she experiences a miscarriage, the couple move to Hollywood. After an initial period of excitement, Cole's flings become too overt and indiscreet and they create tension. Cole is photographed in an amorous embrace with another man in the restroom of a gay nightclub. Both he and Linda are blackmailed into paying a large sum to suppress publication of the pictures. When he shrugs off the blackmail, she goes to Paris, leaving him bereft.

It is not until Cole is seriously injured in a horseback riding accident that Linda returns to his side, willing to forgive, but still finding difficulty in coping with his extramarital affairs. She is eventually diagnosed with emphysema, and in an attempt to provide Cole with a new partner once she is gone, she introduces him to her decorator and estate advisor. The match is successful.

When Linda dies in 1954, Cole is devastated. He continues working until 1958 when degeneration of his right leg finally requires amputation, affecting his creative output. He never writes again, but does participate in productions of his earlier works. Cole dies in 1964 at age 73.

CAST

Kevin Kline as Cole Porter

Ashley Judd as Linda Lee Thomas/Porter

Jonathan Pryce as Gabriel the archangel

Kevin McNally as Gerald Murphy

Sandra Nelson as Sara Murphy

Allan Corduner as Monty Woolley

Peter Polycarpou as Louis B. Mayer

Keith Allen as Irving Berlin

James Wilby as Edward Thomas

Kevin McKidd as Bobby Reed

Richard Dillane as Bill Wrather

John Barrowman as Jack

Peter Jessop as Diaghilev

Edward Baker-Duly as Boris Kochno

Jeff Harding as Cody

Caroline O'Connor as Ethel Merman

Lara Fabian as Patricia Morison

SOUNDTRACK

"It's De-Lovely" performed by Robbie Williams

"Let's Do It (Let's Fall In Love)" performed by Alanis Morissette

"Begin the Beguine" performed by Sheryl Crow

"Let's Misbehave" performed by Elvis Costello

"Be a Clown" performed by Kevin Kline, Peter Polycarpou, and Chorus

"Night and Day" performed by John Barrowman

"Easy to Love" performed by Kevin Kline (American release omits this track)

"True Love" by Ashley Judd and Tayler Hamilton

"What is This Thing Called Love?" performed by Lemar

"I Love You" performed by Mick Hucknall

"Just One of Those Things" performed by Diana Krall

"Anything Goes" performed by Caroline O'Connor

"Experiment" performed by Kevin Kline

"Love for Sale" performed by Vivian Green

"So in Love" performed by Lara Fabian and Mario Frangoulis

"Ev'ry Time We Say Goodbye" performed by Natalie Cole

"Blow, Gabriel, Blow" performed by Jonathan Pryce, Kevin Kline, Cast, and Chorus

"In the Still of the Night" performed by Kevin Kline and Ashley Judd

"You're the Top" performed by Cole Porter

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

based on the life and career of Cole Porter, from his first meeting with his wife, Linda Lee Thomas, until his death. It is the second biopic about the composer, following 1946's Night and Day.