All the recreations of Havana and Hemingway's house in the late '50s keep the audience involved even when the actor playing Hemingway himself reminds one of bad community theater, and Giovanni Ribisi's usual solid performance anchors the rest of it (plus Minka Kelly's is heartbreakingly beautiful as Ribisi's girlfriend - never really knew her before, what a find!).
shareIt was filmed on location in Cuba. The house was actually Hemingway's.
shareI actually enjoyed Spark's performance of E.H.. He added a lot of depth to a complex man who suffered through his creativity. All of the good side and bad sides of his personality shone through yet I still found him a sympathetic character in the end. Giovanni adds a good deal too with him being our eyes into this world. As for "weakest link" roles I have to say that Minka Kelly's performance was the tackiest and she was just TOO attractive for my tastes. It also didn't help in the story line when Denne is wrestling with the idea of letting her go. Come on man, no guy in real life would have to ponder letting Minka Kelly go.
shareIt grabs you right from the start.
If I had any complaint it was the 'side story' of politics in Havanna. Otherwise, this is a lovely film for anyone wanting beauty, details, and a damn good TRUE STORY. Trust me, words have power.
And I have a new book to read. "The Fifth Column and the first forty-nine stories" by Ernest Hemmingway. I love the script too, how it blends in his 'secrets' (The power of less) alongside bringing us into life as he saw it. Imagine, much like Jack London, having it all and still feeling something missing.
I love how he taught himself to write. And his letter must have been pretty powerful. I know of that first-hand. Keep it real. Real gets felt.
GFW