Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Measured
- Intensity
- Moderate
- Complexity
- Layered
- Violence
- None
- elegant
- theatrical
- witty
- classic musical night
- biopic double feature
What critics said
Critics found Kevin Kline's performance, period elegance, and musical numbers compelling, but considered the stylized framing, editing, and emotional distance uneven or inert.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
The film dramatizes Cole Porter's career, songwriting, relationships, and public persona.
Porter looks back on his life as though it were one of his elaborate stage shows, with acquaintances and events appearing as performers and scenes.
Porter's songs, including "Anything Goes," "It's De-Lovely," and "Night and Day," structure the portrait and dramatize its emotional turns.
The production emphasizes elegant period clothing, elaborate musical numbers, and an excessive stage-like presentation of Porter's past.
Films like De-Lovely, and why
All That Jazz
stylized musical biography centered on artistic ambition, sexuality, and theatrical self-invention
Moulin Rouge!
lavish composer biopic combining period spectacle, romantic complexity, and heightened musical fantasy
Moulin Rouge
romantic musical drama about a celebrated artist whose public success conflicts with private relationships
The United States vs. Billie Holiday
biographical musical drama using performance and memory to explore a complicated creative life
Movie Details
- Director
- Irwin Winkler
- Release Date
- 2004-07-02
- Runtime
- 125 min
- Rating
- 6.1 / 10 (152)
Cast
- Kevin Kline
- Ashley Judd
- Jonathan Pryce
- Kevin McNally
- Sandra Nelson
- Allan Corduner
- Peter Polycarpou
- Keith Allen
- James Wilby
- Kevin McKidd
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- fuboTV, MGM+ Amazon Channel, Philo, MGM Plus Roku Premium Channel, MGM Plus
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is De-Lovely about?
- A lavish, stage-shaped portrait of Cole Porter balancing immortal songs, bisexual desire, and a devoted yet complicated marriage.
- What is De-Lovely like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of De-Lovely as measured, its intensity as moderate and its storytelling as layered.
- Is De-Lovely violent?
- No — Ember's analysis finds no violence in De-Lovely.
- What did critics think of De-Lovely?
- Critics found Kevin Kline's performance, period elegance, and musical numbers compelling, but considered the stylized framing, editing, and emotional distance uneven or inert.
- Which films are like De-Lovely?
- Films with a similar feel include All That Jazz, Moulin Rouge!, Moulin Rouge, and The United States vs. Billie Holiday.
- How long is De-Lovely?
- De-Lovely runs 125 minutes.
- Where can I watch De-Lovely?
- In United States, De-Lovely streams on fuboTV, MGM+ Amazon Channel, Philo, MGM Plus Roku Premium Channel, MGM Plus.
