Christian McKay as Orson Welles in Me and Orson Welles
Zac Efron and Claire Danes in Me and Orson Welles
Christian McKay and Zac Efron in Me and Orson Welles
Christian McKay as Orson Welles in Me and Orson Welles
This thoroughly vague description is far from the truth. McKay elaborates, “Non- invites the young Richard over for a nightcap. Does romance ensue? Without hav-
sense. Zac’s character Richard sides with the wrong guy, a guy who challenged ing to put a “spoiler alert” here, let’s just say Christian McKay exclaims, “A praying
Orson’s authority within his company. So, Orson says to him very plainly on that mantris!” I think that’s psychosexual revenge on Welles. No, I’m joking! I have more
bench, ‘You give me tonight. After tonight, you can do whatever you want.’ In women in this than James Bond.”
other words, you’re sacked. Now, of course, 12-year-old girls say, ‘You son of a There is a crucial scene in Me and Orson Welles when McKay as Welles is called
bitch (laughter)! You villain! You nasty man and all that. Not at all! Can you imagine on his authority by one of the set builders. This is simply amazing acting and a
going up to your boss and saying, ‘You’ve done something terrible and I agree moment where the character and the actor become one…you are watching the
with the other guy.’ You’d be out of there…wouldn’t you?” real Orson Welles. McKay explains, “If you’re challenging the boss in front of his
I asked Christian to pass along a compliment to Zac, mentioning that the actor company, he [Welles] is then going to, especially at 22, and with a lot to do…es-
reminded me of a young Tyrone Power [leading man of many films in the 1930s pecially after a disastrous preview of his play, he’s going to give you ‘what for’ isn’t
and 1940s] and that Zac has really come into his own with this role. Christian he? That scene was a massive and great challenge. You can’t impersonate Orson
replies, “Oh! What a compliment that is. He’s a handsome lad. It makes ya sick Welles. You can’t do an impression because it would be dreadful. I’m very lucky.
(laughter)! He is a wonderful guy. He is so full of humility and good grace and I’ve never heard of me…mind anybody else. So, if you can suspend disbelief,
charm. His presence and charisma…I love the fact that those fans are very, very you’ll go on a journey and occasionally, when you’re into the story, suddenly…
special to him. I’m really looking forward to seeing his future films. These people there he is. That’s the hope for any actor portraying a real-life person.”
who try and put him in a pigeon hole at twenty-two, it’s extraordinary.”
As well, Claire Danes is so natural and real as Sonja Jones in Me and Orson Welles
playing the company’s Girl Friday, so to speak. There is a scene where Danes Me and Orson Welles is in theatres on December 11.
December 2009 | RAGE monthly 15
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