Another Robbie Williams Discussion Forum aka The Dotmusic Revival Forum

Does anyone know which tv channels (I have mostly German ones, just one French - TV5 Europe) will have Cannes specials? I know there was one on Arte last year.
I also think the tv team from here will go, as they usually visit all the festivals.

De-Lovely OST is released on 15th June.

Liz Smith is a columnist with the New York Post, a sort of semi-tabloidish newspaper, but with, you know, actual researched newstories. Anyway...she's just seen De-Lovely. Her review is below. (And I agree with Anne Reinking, shame nobody sings the verse any longer to these great standards.)

And now for "De-Lovely," which is exactly what it is. Although this is a more realistic take on Cole Porter's life with wife Linda than the 1946 Warner Bros. effort, starring Cary Grant and Alexis Smith, there is considerable telescoping of time, events out of order, and an unwillingness still to portray Cole as totally gay, which he was. But, as "De-Lovely" screenwriter Jay Cocks and also Porter historian Robert Kimball emphasize, "Emotionally, it is entirely true."

The movie - a dying Cole's backwards look at his life with his socially acceptable wife - incorporates fantasy musical numbers and facts, some brutal, some sublime, along with his exquisite and amusing songs. Kline as Porter, a hedonist, a romantic, a genius, and Ashley Judd as the regal, ravishing Linda, aware of her husband's preference, but willing to look the other way as long as he is "discreet," turn in Oscar-worthy performances. That Linda had her own preference is only hinted. Judd calls on aspects of herself heretofore unseen. It is as if she literally stepped out of the past; she is all sacrifice, subtlety, irony and elegance. (A change from her recent, far more aggressive, athletic roles.)

The movie is packed with Porter numbers, arranged magnificently by Stephen Endelman and sung by such "guest stars" as Sheryl Crow, Alanis Morissette, Robbie Williams, Diana Krall, Natalie Cole and Elvis Costello. There are some unique interpretations here, but none seem to stray too far from the composer's intent. (Elvis Costello's "Lets Misbehave" is a riot!) The move is rich, lush, accurate in its period detail. Irwin Winkler has been associated with hits like "Rocky," but nothing quite so romantic, so bittersweet.

Almost everybody at the screening - Lauren Bacall, Peter Boyle, George Stephanopoulos and Ali Wentworth, Sean Penn, Michael Douglas, Anne Reinking, Denise Rich, etc., said they wanted to go right back to the screening room and see the movie all over again! (By then they had been herded by p.r. queen Peggy Siegal into their dinner seats at the Plaza Athenee, where Peter Cincotti sang Porter, beautifully.)

Reinking, the great dancer/choreographer, says she can't wait for the CD of "De-Lovely," so "I can sing along, and pretend I really can sing!" Reinking also remarked on the loss of the verse to songs, which "De-Lovely" features. "Nobody sings them anymore, and it's a pity. You know, I once had an idea to put a lot of verses together, meld them musically to create a story." Told that this was a wonderful idea, Reinking shyly said, "Well, I don't think I could do it myself, I think I'd need the help of Mr. Endelman," who was her tablemate. Remember, you read it here first. And remember this - Kevin Kline and Ashley Judd, Oscar nominees in 2005.