Me and Orson Welles

Move over High School Musical and Hairspray! Zac Efron shows a whole new grown-up side in Richard Linklater’s latest film.

A light hearted confection based on real-life events, Me and Orson Welles follows aspiring young actor Richard Samuels (Efron) as he goes to work at NYC's legendary Mercury Theatre. He quickly lands a bit part in wünderkind Orson Welles’ (magnificently played by newcomer Christian McKay) infamous production of Julius Caesar.

A theatrical scandal at the time, Welles’ radical version of the play slashed Shakespeare’s original dialogue, saw his actors dressed in Fascist uniforms and drew comparisons between Caesar and the Fascist dictator Benito Mussolini. Looking back at this controversial period in Welles’ career, Linklater’s film recounts the story behind the scenes with wit and humour (and perhaps a hint of The Producers).

A great ensemble cast includes Claire Danes, a hilarious Ben Chaplin and Eddie Marsan as the traumatised financier backing the production. It’s Efron who really impresses however, in a performance of depth, charm and maturity. A brave choice of role perhaps and certainly not one his teenage fans will be familiar with.