It’s 1937, and a teenager Richard Samuels (Efron) is in love with all things theatre. After a chance encounter and an roadside audition, he is suddenly cast in the role of a lifetime - playing Lucius in the great Orson Welles’ (Christian McKay) production of Julius Caesar. With egos clashing and funds dwindling, Richard becomes close with ambitious production assistant Sonja (Claire Danes). But as that closeness threatens to turn into something more, the married Welles also catches her eye, meaning Richard must figure out how he can compete with the most famous man in theatre, and keep his job at the same time.

Director Linklater attempts an inside peak at the golden age of cinema, as real life actors such as Joseph Cotten and George Colouris are portrayed warts and all, but the story is too light to be an expose of any sort. It’s more a light-hearted coming of age story set to the backdrop of Welles’ production rather than a deeper look into the origins of a cinema icon. To the actors’ credit, the love triangle is believable despite the age disparities, and at just over 100 minutes doesn’t hang around.

The fact that McKay is almost his double is incredibly handy, but his performance as Welles is more than an impression. He deftly conveys the fact that part of what made Welles so brilliant was the fact that he was equally charming and arrogant. Danes is yet again the supporting act, and whilst it’s an intelligent role, when alls said and done she’s a trophy for the two male protagonists to fight over. As for Efron, it’s his first ‘grown up’ role, and he tackles the part with enthusiasm. As Richard, he’s charismatic and holds his own, but there’s just something missing from his performance that makes him hard to take seriously in the more dramatic scenes.

An appealing film, but nothing special. The plot is a little too light and Linklater’s New York a little too idyllic to say anything too profound. It’s one of the best portrayals of Orson Welles you’ll ever see, but both as a film and as a debut drama from Efron there is something missing.

Me & Orson Welles is out 4th December

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