Modernized biography of songwriter Cole Porter, digging up all the bisexuality that Night and Day in 1946 could not go near. Despite the theatrical device of reviewing his life as a musical show emceed by the Grim Reaper, it remains a rather banal backstage story, lacking much in the way of a focus or an angle, unswallowable as a Grand Romance, and chiefly of interest simply because its subject wrote a lot of memorable songs. These are performed in glorious abundance (by the likes of Elvis Costello, Diana Krall, Sheryl Crow, and Natalie Cole), and Kevin Kline clearly demonstrates his gratitude for so glamorous a role, without bubbling over into effusiveness. He has a particularly affecting farewell to his old friends near the end of the film, but the film then bashes ahead to a couple of more endings, less affecting. With Ashley Judd and Jonathan Pryce; directed by Irwin Winkler. (2004) — Duncan Shepherd
This movie is not currently in theaters.