Plenty of great films over the years have been cursed with awful titles, but Irwin Winkler's De-Lovely (2004) isn't a great film. It's not a terrible effort, to be sure, but it's a film that falters in areas where its strengths should lie. Sub-titled as "The Cole Porter Story" (which undoubtedly answered a few questions), De-Lovely examines the life of the famed musician, though it's more of an exercise in glamour than a sincerely appropriate tribute. Porter, as a musician, was a tremendously prolific talent, his songs filled with emotion and life. Sadly enough, the manner in which his music is depicted onscreen is a much less lively one.

First, the film's highlights: it looks great, and there's a few noteworthy performances. Kevin Kline (The Ice Storm) does a good job of bringing Porter back to life---especially in his younger years---with Ashley Judd handling the role of his wife, Linda, quite nicely. Although their marriage doesn't call for an especially high amount of chemistry, both actors seemed comfortable in their roles. With a tighter script and a more intriguing style of storytelling, though, the pair could have done a much more faithful interpretation of the Porters. Fortunately, though, the film really fires on all cylinders in the production department. Their highly detailed, glamorous world is almost worth the price of admission itself, especially in regard to the costume and set designs. Sadly, though, this is where the praise runs dry.

Perhaps De-Lovely's most glaring flaws are many of the "modern" performances of Porter's classic songs. A host of musical talent pops up throughout the film, including the likes of Natalie Cole, Sheryl Crow, Alanis Morissette, Elvis Costello and Robbie Williams, who offer a mixed bag of performances. I'm not saying that most of these artists aren't incredibly talented in their own right, but many of them don't fit well at all. For the most part, the majority of the music numbers interpreted here are either awkward or just plain dull. More often than not, the bulk of De-Lovely ends up being an "Easter Egg Hunt" for these performers, ultimately taking away from the film's few strengths. Ironically, it's much of Porter's own music that really distracts from his life's story.

For a man who made music his life, that's not a good sign.

There's also the film's running time, which combines uneven pacing and an awkward style of storytelling to make for an overly-long film. Clocking in at 125 minutes, De-Lovely doesn't seem long on paper, but it's obvious that this film could have used a bit of trimming. A much tighter running time could have made up for several of the film's minor flaws, but the excessive length ultimately kills the film. The eye candy wears off about halfway through (or earlier, depending on your level of patience), but there aren't many viewers who won't be checking their watches during this film. Still, the film's limited strengths may be enough to make this worth a once-over.

In the end, De-Lovely is an exquisitely-wrapped gift that doesn't turn out to be what you wanted. Despite a few dramatic moments, a handful of decent performances and great production design, there's not much to like about De-Lovely. In case you were on the fence, though, MGM has put a nice effort into the film's DVD release. Featuring a terrific technical presentation and a decent collection of bonus features (including a pair of audio commentaries), there are a few things here that might be worth looking into. It's not worth a blind buy, of course, but that's what Blockbuster is for. With that said, let's see how this one stacks up, shall we?

Presented in a great looking 2.35:1 anamorphic widescreen aspect ratio, De-Lovely is especially easy on the eyes. The color palette is warm and natural, image detail is high, and there were no major digital imperfections to be found. Likewise, the Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround Mix is a terrific effort, offering clear dialogue and lively musical performances. There's also Spanish and French 2.0 Surround mixes, as well as English, Spanish, and French subtitles. Overall, a fantastic technical presentation that won't disappoint in the least.

De-Lovely is certainly a film with its fair share of problems, but I wouldn't go so far as to declare it a total failure. The film's terrific production design offers plenty of enjoyment for the eyes, and Kline and Judd's performances are good, given the circumstances. On the other hand, the film's glaring flaws really hindered my enjoyment of the film, and that's what really counts in the long run. In all honesty, there are much better ways to learn about Cole Porter's life and musical legacy: I'd certainly suggest sticking to his music, for starters. For interested parties, though, MGM's Special Edition offers a great technical presentation with a decent selection of bonus features. While the movie itself may not be to everyone's liking, this package might be worth a weekend look for the right audience. Rent It.