Watch Colour Me Kubrick
- NR
- 2005
- 1 hr 26 min
-
6.1 (6,950)
Colour Me Kubrick is a dark comedy film that takes a hilarious and sometimes disturbing look at the life of Alan Conway. The main character, portrayed by John Malkovich, is a flamboyant, cross-dressing con artist who spends his days pretending to be legendary filmmaker Stanley Kubrick. Set in London in the 1990s, the film is loosely based on the real-life exploits of Alan Conway, who managed to pass himself off as Kubrick to a number of unsuspecting individuals, using his charm and audacity to convince them to finance his lavish lifestyle.
Conway is a complex character, at once both engaging and repulsive. Malkovich's portrayal of him is masterful, capturing both his charisma and his deceitfulness with equal skill. His interactions with the various people he dupes throughout the film are both amusing and unsettling.
The film features a strong supporting cast, including Jim Davidson as a hapless nightclub owner who becomes one of Conway's victims, and Richard E. Grant as Conway's long-suffering lover. The various people who fall under Conway's spell are portrayed with equal skill, highlighting the filmmaker's deft touch with characterisation.
One of the key themes of the film is the nature of obsession. Conway is obsessed with his own image, and his desire to be perceived as a great artist leads him to ever more dangerous and destructive behaviour. In one particularly memorable scene, he convinces a young actor to strip for a screen test, leading to an uncomfortable moment of vulnerability and degradation.
Another theme that runs throughout the film is the nature of celebrity. Conway's charade is so convincing that he is able to access the inner circles of London's cultural elite. His ability to manipulate people and situations is at once impressive and horrifying, highlighting the power that comes with fame and status.
The film is also a commentary on the nature of cinema itself. Conway's obsession with Kubrick is not just a way of gaining access to money and power, but a reflection of his own understanding of the importance of image and storytelling. The film is peppered with references to Kubrick's work, and there is a sense that Conway is attempting to create his own cinematic legacy through his deception.
Overall, Colour Me Kubrick is a fascinating film that offers a darkly humorous look at the nature of fame, identity, and obsession. Malkovich's performance is a tour de force, and the film is peppered with memorable moments and engaging characters. It is a must-see for anyone interested in exploring the complex world of cinema and celebrity.
Colour Me Kubrick is a 2005 comedy with a runtime of 1 hour and 26 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.1 and a MetaScore of 57.