Wrestling Ernest Hemingway (1993)

Please don't spend money on this.

A Masterpiece!

At first rather annoying in its heavy emphasis on reenactments, this movie ultimately proves fascinating, simply because the complicated, highly dramatic tale it tells still almost defies belief.

It is encouraging that the film ends so strongly.Otherwise, it wouldn't have been a particularly memorable film

This is one of the many really good films that the public slips by without notice - their loss. Well done on every level, writing/scripting, the acting is superbly understated and real. Duvall does is usual great job, as does Shirley Mclain. Richard Harris is excellent and Sandra Bullock makes her small role a pleasure to watch. A bit of a tear jerker, but real to life. It's one of those wonderful not so little films that will stick with you long after you have forgotten the title. If you can find a copy don't let it go until you have watched it. Then be sure to share it with friends, they will appreciate the recommendation.

Why this film got so little recognition is beyond me. It is delightful, poignant, touching and superbly acted, written and performed. It's the story of two men of very different backgrounds and personalities who meet in their twilight years. Harris is exquisite in portraying an aging sea captain in all his rough and hoary glory who meets and, in his terrible loneliness, befriends a Cuban expatriate portrayed by Duvall. Duvall is so adept in his roll, if you hadn't read the credits, it would be difficult to discern it was him. Shirley McClean and Sandra Bullock are excellent as cast in this film. It's just wonderful. Too bad it's not yet on DVD, but get it on VHS.

Leisurely-paced, remarkably sweet and entertaining character study about an elderly Irish codger in Florida striking up an uneasy friendship with a retired Cuban barber. Not especially original or revealing, but wonderfully acted and directed, with a beautiful sense of atmosphere. Written by 21-year-old Steve Conrad, whose natural-flowing dialogue and character development admirably shucks a formulaic pattern. In the leads, Robert Duvall and Richard Harris prove to be a striking screen match (at times, they may struggle with their characters' overall make-up, yet they create genuine people--not caricatures); Shirley MacLaine is also fine in a supporting role (in her book, "Thank My Lucky Stars", MacLaine gives hint this film wasn't a positive experience, though you wouldn't guess it from the end results or from MacLaine's excellent performance). Sandra Bullock also shines as a waitress. Not a blockbuster or a career watermark for anyone, but a gentle, moving film that leaves a thoughtful trace of its passion for life behind. *** from ****

Although I've only seen this movie once quite a while ago it is definitely on my "see again soon" list. While slipping through the many film credits of Robert Duvall I felt I just had to comment. His performance in this movie separates him from his other characters and in my eyes cements his reputation as a premiere actor. Along with a wonderful cast including Richard Harris as a crusty old curmudgeon, the always talented Shirley MacLaine, and the relative newcomer at that time, Sandra Bullock the film spins its story in a very timely and entertaining manner and left me at the end with not only a lumpy throat (i can't tell you who dies of course but it's one of the best death scenes I've ever seen) but the crushing desire to see it at least three or four more times. Highly recommended.