Me and Orson Welles 2009

In the vibrant backdrop of New York City during the fall of 1937, a charming story unfolds as 17-year-old high-school student Richard Samuels unexpectedly crosses paths with the illustrious Orson Welles. Welles, in a delightful twist of fate, presents Richard with a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to play Lucius in his groundbreaking production of Caesar at the newly formed Mercury Theatre. This theater is buzzing with activity as the company dives headfirst into rehearsals, and Richard finds himself captivated not only by the art of theater but also by the complex world surrounding Welles.

As he becomes increasingly enchanted by Welles, Richard uncovers a scandalous secret: Welles is entangled in an affair with the production’s leading actress, all while his wife is expecting. Amid this whirlwind, Richard encounters the ambitious production assistant, Sonja Jones, who seems drawn to him, adding another layer of intrigue to his experience.

In the lead-up to the highly anticipated premiere, Welles expresses his anxieties, citing an unusual streak of good fortune. He worries that this success might lead to a disastrous flop during the debut. Everything is turned upside down when, during a rehearsal, Richard inadvertently activates the sprinkler system, drenching the entire theater. Accused by Welles, he slyly deflects blame, suggesting that this calamity might just be the bad luck Welles needed to shake off.

Amidst the chaos, Welles proposes an unconventional coupling game to strengthen the crew’s bond, and Richard cleverly manipulates the situation to be paired with Sonja. Their chemistry ignites, leading to a night of passion. However, Richard’s jealousy flares when Sonja spends the following night with Welles, prompting Richard to confront him about his pending fatherhood, and resulting in his abrupt dismissal.

Despite this setback, Richard experiences a moment of triumph on opening night—a spectacular success for Welles’ anti-fascist adaptation of Caesar. Yet, his victory is bittersweet; he learns that he was merely a pawn in Welles’ grand scheme for a successful debut, leading to his second dismissal.

Heartbroken yet enlightened, Richard finds solace in his high school English class, where he spontaneously recites lines from Julius Caesar, earning a warm round of applause from his classmates. The story takes a new turn when he crosses paths with Gretta Adler, an aspiring playwright he met in a music store earlier in the film. With a little help from Richard and Sonja, Gretta successfully publishes a story in The New Yorker and invites Richard out to celebrate their victory, hinting at the possibility of new beginnings.