De-Lovely is fundamentally a character-driven biopic. While it honestly examines Cole Porter's sexuality, the story primarily revolves around his musical genius and complex marriage. It doesn’t appear to prioritize identity over artistry, so it mostly preserves narrative integrity, though the frequent focus on Porter's same-sex relationships is unmistakable for the era.

The film gently challenges traditional views on marriage, masculinity, and morality by sympathetically portraying Porter's unconventional lifestyle. However, it avoids heavy-handed moralizing or aggressively undermining cultural traditions, opting instead for a sensitive, personal approach.

While conservative viewpoints are not given much voice, dissent isn’t loudly caricatured. The film’s perspective quietly supports modern views on sexuality, but it isn't overtly hostile toward alternative or traditional outlooks, keeping outright monoculture in check, if only barely.