It's definitely above-average. The performances are terrific, and the filmmakers do a good job comparing and contrasting the film's two egomaniacs. Hearst is the evil emperor. The scene where he tells Louella Parsons to destroy Welles intentionally recalls "Star Wars". (Parsons is even wearing Darth Vader black.) Welles is the white knight who must take Hearst down, not only because he's the biggest target but because he's everything Orson hates and everything Orson wants to be. Liev Schreiber is surprisingly effective as Welles, and Cromwell brings real gravitas to Hearst, but it's Melanie Griffith who almost steals the picture as Marion Davies, Hearst's mistress. We already know a lot about the two men, but Griffith puts a beating heart into this little remembered woman. If you're a movie fan or a Welles fan, it's a must see.
Review of RKO 281
