'Me and Orson Welles' a slight but worthwhile effort

Director: Richard Linklater

Cast: Zac Efron, Ben Chaplin, Claire Danes, Christian McKay

Cert: 12

Efron steps from the froth of ‘High School Musical’ success to try his hand at serious acting and, we assume, to move his career along … he succeeds in so far as turning in a solid performance while retaining strong elements of his HSM character … eager, slick teen making it happen.

He plays Richard Samuels, a young actor looking for the big breakthrough who discovers Welles and his famous Broadway Mercury Theatre in the pre-Kane era.

He’s hired by Welles and learns all about the great man, and falls for theatre worker Danes.

It’s a slight effort but with a terrific portrayal of Welles by McKay and a promising career development for young Zac it has its moments.

Star Rating: 3/5