Several of us got a chance to see Me and Orson Welles this last year at SXSW. The festival smartly scheduled it as a “mystery screening,” and nobody knew what we were seeing until we were standing in line to see it. There were quite a few gasps of horror when we realized it was a movie starring Zac Efron, but then when we heard it was also directed by Richard Linklater, well, we were confused. We didn’t know what to think. No one had given us a pre-formatted opinion for a movie directed by an indie legend and starring a Disney sex robot. A few people in line had seizures. Then someone said that Claire Danes was in it, and we were like: Yay! “My So-Called Life.” Stardust. But wait a second: Brokedown Palace and Terminator 3. Oh Noes! How will our brains ever process this?
And then we remembered the hipster way! When all else fails, always opt for cynical detachment. We can forgive ourselves for admitting that Richard Linklater had a misstep, but think of all the people who will laugh at us if we admit to enjoying a Zac Efron movie. Unless! Unless we enjoyed it ironically! Yeah! That’s it.
Oh, fuck it all.
Turns out, when we actually sat down to see the movie, that Me and Orson Welles, was pretty goddamn fantastic. Not perfect, but really solid. It was enchanting. And exuberant. And a lot of fun. Also: Zac Efron was pretty good, although the guy who plays Orson Welles, Christian McKay, will blow your mind. He is the bee’s meow, people. For real.
The teaser trailer doesn’t do it justice, but it might help you, ever so slightly, to warm up to the idea of Zac Efron in a role where he doesn’t embarrass himself.
Run me out of town if you must, but I actually found Zac Efron surprisingly enjoyable in 17 Again...
But then, I wasn't tainted by having viewed any of this HSM nonsense.
Posted by: missh at August 12, 2009 10:08 AM
That Zac Efron doesn't look anything like the pink-lipped Zac Efron I'm used to seeing.
You're right, Dustin--the trailer tells us jack shit about what to expect from the movie. But if you liked it then I'm cautiously optimistic.
I got too distracted to continue reading the second time I saw "we we're." COME ON. OMFG. OK, going back to read the rest.
Posted by: mda at August 12, 2009 10:44 AM
You know, I've seen just as many, if not more, typos in the online NY Times as I've seen here on Pajiba. Just saying.
And that looks...OK, although you're right, I have no idea what it's about. And Efron still looks like he's got about ten pounds of pancake makeup on. The hair's definitely an improvement, that's for sure.
Posted by: Kolby at August 12, 2009 10:54 AM
I don't understand doubting/resisting Zac Efron out of hand, esp. considering all the Christian Bale love around here. Or have you forgotten Newsies?
Posted by: icecreammang at August 12, 2009 10:59 AM
Yes, branded, full of delicious frozen pea-ness.
Posted by: Optimus Rhyme at August 12, 2009 11:01 AM
I just re-watched MSCL like, last week. Not seeing the Leto comparison.
Also, I risked it and listened to it this time... the music in that trailer is the bee's meow. (Ha! So fun!)
I have a love/hate thing going for Linklater and Danes, so this looks VERY iffy to me. And the synopsis on IMDB says that Danes is Effron's love interest . . . ? That kind of grosses me out.
Posted by: jimbob at August 12, 2009 11:15 AM
Please get rid of the Hardees click-through ads. Please!
Posted by: Kate at August 12, 2009 11:16 AM
I have a sneaking suspicion that Zac Efron might actually surprise us all and suddenly become awesome. He's generally likable in his roles (except HSM, obvs), and with this one he proves that at the very least he's willing to try something new, but not in an ostentatious way.
He does need to do something about that hair, though.
Posted by: Mimi at August 12, 2009 11:22 AM
I hate because I have to, Rowles! Seriously, you try being in college and having all of your friends insist that HSM is the best damn thing in, like, EVAH and that OHMIGAWD Efron is teh sex.
They had a viewing party for the second movie and went to see the third one opening night. For Halloween? Yep, they portrayed the whole friggin cast.
Then again, these are the same friends who were disgusted when I told them that She's The Man sucked. Which is actually a true fact. They put that shit in the Encyclopedia.*
All I'm saying is that maybe, maybe I'll see this movie one day, but it'll have to be long after the hysterics of his HSM days are over.
Plus, what hipster dilemma? That asshat wears girl jeans, you should be all over Efron.
*citation needed
Posted by: Kayanne at August 12, 2009 11:45 AM
I think he's a pretty likable dude, but he seriously needs a haircut. GET THOSE BANGS OUT OF YOUR FACE YOUNG MAN. Then we can talk.
Actually he reminds me a lot of Leonardo Di Caprio. Sort of that same face that will always look 12 (Leo's will always look 8) and gets famous for doing cheesy teeny stuff and then suddenly BAM he's Scorceses' muse and you're all what the hell just happened. Mark my words.
I might be able to skirt around my self imposed ban on anything or anyone related to the High School Musical stupidity if Effron was, in fact, on Firefly. However, Claire Danes' presence puts the kibosh on the whole deal.
I will NOT support anything Danes related.
Posted by: BarbadoSlim at August 12, 2009 12:28 PM
RE Linda: Zac Efron was freaking young Simon Tam in Firefly. I don't feel embarrassed for finding him... oddly attractive. :p
No, no he wasn't. IMDB, people. Plus, the guy in Firefly doesn't look anything like Efron.
People probably expect me to rag on Efron, but I don't have a problem with anyone in regards to their age or occupation. Showbiz is a tough business, everyone's gotta start somewhere, and while I don't really dig Disney's manufacture of teen "talent," I don't blame the kids involved for it. I do loathe the sight of Miley Cyrus, but that's not really her fault.
Kurt Russell started out at Disney, if I recall, and he's kind of a super-cool icon now, so... just sayin'.
Posted by: Slash at August 12, 2009 12:36 PM
Kurt Russell started out at Disney, if I recall, and he's kind of a super-cool icon now, so... just sayin'.
Different times, different Disney, what you have now is tweens on stripper poles Disney.
Posted by: BarbadoSlim at August 12, 2009 12:42 PM
Is it just me, or does Efron look kind of like a Ken doll in that picture?
I agree with Mimi. It's very possible Efron is going to break out of the teenage stuff that made him a household name and become a Serious Actor. I hesitate to put him in league with Christian Bale, Drew Barrymore, and Jodie Foster, but they were all child actors who made it big once they went for serious parts, and that seems to be what Effron is doing with this movie.
Posted by: ladydi at August 12, 2009 12:43 PM
The thing is Bale, Foster and, to much lesser extent, Barrymore have a....call it gravitas, that this contemporary bunch lack, and I mean they reeeeaally lack it. Just try and compare Foster doing her thing opposite Robert DeNiro (in his prime), or Bale in Empire of the Sun.
Make no mistake people these folks were accomplished actors way back in their youth, they were NOT silly children things mugging for the camera Jimmy Fallon style (I'm looking at YOU Amanda Bynes)with grand delusions of being actors.
Posted by: BarbadoSlim at August 12, 2009 12:56 PM
Slim, watch Stardust, I think you'll like it despite Danes' presence. True story.
I've never seen a moment of HSM, so I have no preconceived notions about Efron. I saw him for a few minutes on Saturday Night Live, he seemed ok. Seems like he has a good sense of humor about himself. And he's alright looking, a little girlie, but nice looking kid. He's no Jordan Catalano.
Slash - IMDB yourself. He was Young Simon in the episode "Safe".
I love the internet. I could have gone all the way downstairs to find my Firefly DVDs, then come all the way back up here to my laptop and watched the scene that way, but that would require effort and firing neurons. This way I can satisfy my curiousity without moving from my semi-vegetative state. Funness!
Posted by: Shay at August 12, 2009 1:43 PM
I liked him in Dreamgirls...
I think there's hope for ZE. After all he did choose this movie over some cheesy teen flick right? He is going to suffer the pretty-boy complex for a while though unless he goes 'full retard' pretty soon (um, see Leo in Gilbert Grape?).
Posted by: amanda47 at August 12, 2009 1:54 PM
amanda47,
you mean Hairspray, right?
Posted by: Isabela at August 12, 2009 3:14 PM
Yo Slim, did Bale have gravitas (I always hear that word in Kiefer Sutherland's voice) in Newsies?
Obviously Jodie Foster had it in Taxi Driver, Barrymore in E.T..., I'll give her authentic but not gravitas.
I'm not saying Efron has it, I'm saying it probably doesn't have to be present at the outset.
Posted by: icecreammang at August 12, 2009 4:07 PM
RE Shay: Lainey beat me to the punch, but here's the page: http://www.imdb.com/name/nm1374980/
It's credit #23. I believe the appropriate expression is "boo-yah".
Sorry, I don't keep an eye out for Zac Efron appearances. I'll give you half a boo-yah (choose either boo or yah). I didn't think anybody cared if Efron was "young" Simon Tam. Quick, who was "young" River Tam?
Posted by: Slash at August 12, 2009 4:11 PM
I don't know who the young River Tam was, but they got her freaky eyes right.
Posted by: BWeaves at August 12, 2009 4:46 PM
Different times, different Disney, what you have now is tweens on stripper poles Disney.
Oh yeah? I hear Annette and Cubby were FREAKS!
Posted by: ed newman at August 12, 2009 5:12 PM
I love Zac Efron.
There, I said it.
Hate me now.
Posted by: ceejeemcbeegee at August 12, 2009 5:37 PM
I didn't think anybody cared if Efron was "young" Simon Tam.
Nope. I was just watching Firefly, went 'huh, that kid looks familiar', looked it up online and then went 'huh - it's the kid from High School Musical?!' And then I gave him a cool point because I'm sad like that.
And I do think he looks like Sean Maher if his face isn't caked in make-up.
Posted by: Linda at August 12, 2009 5:40 PM
i think efron is cute. now i've never seen him in anything though...
my daughter and i were watching the 1968 "romeo and juliet" the other day, and zac efron is a dead ringer for leonard whiting. someone should do a "totally looks like.com" on them....
Posted by: maxpurr9 at August 12, 2009 8:37 PM
I just saw that youtube video of Efron in Firefly, and I have to say that Firefly was basically awesome and perfect and I love it, etc. But couldn't they have hired an accents coach to work on all their Mandarin verbal throw-offs? I had no idea what any of them were saying or doing (or that they weren't even speaking an English language - I assumed I couldn't hear and just left it at that) until I read about it. And then I tried to listen for it, and I still don't hear the Mandarin. Their accents excelled at being awful and unrecognizable.
Basically, a complaint that only Chinese people (eg. me) would have.
Posted by: dene at August 12, 2009 8:49 PM
But Slim, I crush on Amanda Bynes!!...
**stomps off to sulk**
Posted by: Gnaius at August 12, 2009 10:07 PM
maxpurr9 - THANK YOU! That's exactly who he reminds me of and I wasn't able to place it!
The sad part is that Zac Efron is ridiculously talented... however he's been in crap such as High School Musical? and will forever live out that label, or at least in my mind.
Posted by: Jennifer at August 12, 2009 11:26 PM
Posted by: dene at August 12, 2009 8:49 PM
You know, I actually wondered if their Mandarin was any good. Or real, at all. In addition to wishing for translation (although, it's kind of cool to not have it). Does it actually mean anything? Did it ever wind up making any sense? These are the mysteries that keep me up at night.
I agree that Claire Danes ruins (at least her part) everything she's in... at least for me. Skanky, homewrecking, boyfriend-stealing-from-awesome-Mary-Louise-Parker-stain. This looks good though. I'd like to know (in the opinions of the Pajibans) what constitutes a "perfect movie?" It's always said that "it's not perfect, but it's good/great/pretty fantastic, solid, etc.
Posted by: MissNev at August 13, 2009 4:38 PM
The movie itself isn't even the big talk here. It's all about Zac Efron. Well, he's a decent actor that's improving so give him a break.
Posted by: Curious at August 25, 2009 1:49 AM
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Run me out of town if you must, but I actually found Zac Efron surprisingly enjoyable in 17 Again...
But then, I wasn't tainted by having viewed any of this HSM nonsense.