Genres

Visitors Review

2012-05-25 23:41:51

In Love and War

This review is from: In Love and War (DVD) This is one of my favorite movies. I love to watch Sandra Bullock and Chris O'Donnell. They portray a story about the life of a great author, Hemingway, in a way that makes you want to know more about him.

iamon2u 2012-05-25 03:57:34

A epic about the love that stays with us forever.

I started to watch this movie one lonely sunday night. It happened to bethesame night of the golden globes. For the first bit i was not really intoitbut suddenly it really caught my attention. Chris O Donnnell was amazingandhe could not of been amazing if it wasn't for Sandra Bullock. I cried sohard at the end when they parted forever. I was so sure that he was goingto take her in his arms forever because when she said i will love you totheday you die you knew she meant it.I would like everyone to see this movie and find their heartsagain.

2012-05-25 11:09:31

Pleasantly sweet...

True, not completely factual. True, relationship development between Ernest and Agnes lacking. However, still worth a look if you are not demanding too much. It made me smile and sigh and later retire for the evening with a gentle and calm feeling about love and circumstance.

2012-05-24 20:31:41

A touching story and a great movie

I don't understand all these bad reviews, I really liked and was deeply touched by this movie. Both Chris O'Donnell and Sandy deliver solid performance and the movie conveys the dark and uncertain atmosphere of the times. The love affair of Hemingway and Von Kurowsky had a profound influence on the iconic writer's further career and this story will strike home for any guy who has been involved with an older woman. A very touching and believable love story. The movie is not factually accurate at times, for example, Agnes was engaged to an Italian officer, not a doctor, and there is credible evidence that Agnes and Arnie never met afterwards. Nonetheless, I guarantee that you are going to enjoy this film, and I highly recommend it.

2012-05-22 17:24:48

True to Life

In my humble opinion, this is one of the best movies ever. Chris O'Donnell plays an amazing Ernest Hemingway, and Sandra Bullock a great nurse Von Krawsky. If one expects to see Ernest Hemingway on screen, well, sorry, this movie is an Hollywood depiction of a mans life and writing. With that in mind, O'Donnell plays the part to a 'T'. After watching this movie if you didn't already have a yearning to read anything and everything by Ernest Hemingway, you will afterwards. Sandra Bullock's acting is unparalleled in this movie. I don't think I have ever seen her do another movie with quite the personal abandonment that she accomplished for this movie. While Ernest Hemingway is one of my all time favorite authors, this movie helps me see a man aside from the author and more in keeping with the person he might have been. Again, this is Hollywood and my ideas are speculation - but that makes a great movie for me. A movie that makes me want to know more about many different things. That is accomplished with ease in this film and I recommend it to everyone.

xam72128 2012-05-22 07:36:02

boring

This movie is the worst piece of garbage put on film.Everyone involved should be emabarrased.A total disaster from start to finish.Chris O'Donnell is a horrible actor.Sandra Bullock, who can be good, is totally miscast here.At last the truth has been revealed that Richard Attenborough is ahack, who made one decent film, Ghandi.All of his other films have been mediocre at best.What a mess.Horrible.

helpless_dancer 2012-05-16 02:34:34

Ernest Hemingway meets a nurse during WW1

This film was based on the love affair between Ernest Hemingway and thenurse he met after being wounded in action during WW1. I doubt that it wasvery factual, but still remained entertaining. Their relationship was doomedfrom the start because of Hemingway's rotten attitude. If the man was likethis in his real life, I would imagine all his relationships with womenfailed. He was a boozing, spoiled little rich boy.

2012-05-15 15:17:57

Very good movie

This review is from: In Love and War (DVD) I enjoyed this movie very much. The bad rap the critics gave it is nuts. I think they like the sound of their own voice.

2012-05-14 15:52:03

A beautiful epic romantic film!

Richard Attenborough's story of the relationship between Ernest Hemingway and Anges von Kurowsky (the inspiration behind the novel A Farewell to Arms) is recounted in this film. It is truly an epic film, covering the last year of the First World War, during which time Hemingway was injured while a member of the Red Cross, to his meeting and blossoming love for Kurowsky, to the pensive, melancholy conclusion to their relationship after the war.The film has a rich, sweeping feel to it. Attenborough does a wonderful job at direction, blending the gorgeous cinematography (from Italian battlefields to Venician waterways) with the loving, at-times heart-wrenching musical score. However, the film is not manipulative, as most recent romance films are. Instead, it is allowed to unfold slowly and naturally, and it has a more honest feel to the characterizations than you find in most mainstream Hollywood films.On its initial release, one of the main complaints about the film was the unusual casting of Chris O'Donnell as Hemingway and Sandra Bollock as Kurowsky. In actuality, Bollock gives a very commendable performance, and I believe this film shows her best acting to date. In most of her other films, she just plays Sandra Bollock with a different name, but here, she suppresses her usual idiosyncrasies and creates a true character. While I enjoyed a lot of her other films (Speed, While You Were Sleeping), this is really her best and most underrated performance. O'Donnell is somewhat less successful - it is hard to imagine him as a young Hemingway, and he seems like an anachronistic Boy Wonder. His mannerisms don't seem to fit with a 1910s mentality. However, he is not terrible, as some reviewers might have you believe. He delivers a decent performance; in fact, if you drop any pre-conceived notions of the real Ernest Hemingway and try to view O'Donnell's character as just another spunky youth caught in the excitement of wartime, his performance works well in the context of the film.Personally, I like this film a lot. It's gorgeous, it's romantic, and it feels like a sweeping epic. If you enjoy films like The English Patient or A Room with a View, you'll enjoy this film.Just a few words about the DVD, which I bought....this is an essentially bare-bones DVD. There are the usual small extras (subtitles, trailer, cast notes) but nothing else. You can choose to view it as widescreen or full-screen. But there is no commentary or documentary...So, if you like romantic films, give this film a chance....you may be surprised at how it slipped by your notice. Recommended!

2012-05-14 10:41:58

I Would Have Given It No Stars

I recently rented this video about two days ago and let me say that this was a horrible movie. Bullock tries to hard to become a caring nurse but turns out to be a unemotional and untouching female. The friendships are unrealistic for that time period and so is the love affair. There was some interesting parts in the beginning but they ended up dissolving by the first ten mins. The book is so much better and should be read before you listen to my opinoin. Please turn to the literature and not to this lifeless movie. This movie has a good point though, it will not stick to you after you are done watching it.

2012-05-13 17:12:44

No blockbuster, but viewable

People shouldn't pay too much attention to professional critics; sometimes one wonders about their agenda, not to mention their cynicism. I'm not impressed by Chris O'Donnell so far in anything he's done. "Robin" seems to be his high point. Sandra Bullock, on the other hand, graces anything in which she cares to appear. The lady brings a "real people" effect to her roles. We'll see her accepting that little gold statue one of these years. The film isn't any blockbuster; as a war movie, it's fair. As a romance flick, it's OK. As a commentary on Hemingway, O'Donnell isn't the one to bring life to the crusty, alcoholic, arrogant, would-be patriarch (if he could stay family-oriented long enough) that was "Papa" Ernest. Not bad cinema, just kind of mediocre. Without Sandy Bullock, however, it would be pretty seedy.

2012-05-13 00:16:42

Wear a gas mask while watching this movie, 'cause it smells.

I had just finished studying World War I when I decided to rent this movie. In addition, I really liked Sandra Bullock and Chris O'Donnell, so I said, "Hey, why not?" Aftermath of the movie: mass-destruction, far as the eye can see.Sandra Bullock and Chris O'Donnell should really stick with comedy (or in the latter's case, action). I hate to say this, but they both really stunk. The beginning seemed promising, especially as we got to know the hospital residents. But then Hemingway (O'Donnell) had to start acting like a butt-head, and then the love affair...and then the ending! Jeez louise, it stunk the skunks out of their burrows. Okay, okay, there's ONE good point about the movie...it'll keep meaningless sex and bad-ending lovers busy for two hours. If you're not one of those people, then for crying out loud, run for the hills!

2012-05-10 00:19:13

A great love story

I will readily admit, I am a complete sucker for love stories. They make me go all warm & gooey inside. And when you're not feeling too great, you can curl up and enjoy. There's hardly any violence - it's set at the end of WWI, there has to be a little violence, but that's all confined to the start - it has two great actors playing the parts, and it's set in beautiful countryside. What more could you want?I've read a few of the reviews about this, and I have to disagree with nearly every person (sorry). You're not getting the movie really, are you? It's a love story. There are no complicated plots to follow. No twists and turns in the story. Hell, you don't even need to be that smart to watch this movie. And I'm certainly nothing of the sort in that department! Which is probably why I like these movies. You don't need to think much about them, and they're perfectly easy to follow.There are some great love scenes in this, although there are is no graphic, mind-blowing sex. It's simple of how Agnes & Ernie eventually become a proper couple in the most romantic of places - a brothel. And then they have a "waltz" together, which is so romantic.But the build up to their relationship can bring a little tear to the eye. (I told you I was a soppy cow) Whether it's Ernie telling Agnes that he loves her the first time he sees her, in a voice that will make me anyway go weak at the knees, or when he tries to comfort her after Jimmy dies. All are totally romantic. And other reviews say that there's no build up to their relationship, it's all over very quickly, but what they're forgetting - this was during a war, no one had time for quickness. Life's too short.The finale is really sad. If you haven't seen it, then I'm not going to be the one to spoil it for you, but it's a real heart-breaker. Things could have been so different only if ... I'll stop there!After watching this movie, it's got me interested in Ernest Hermingway's work, so that'll be something for me to keep my eye out for. I wouldn't say his work exactly, but probably the story of his life, and why losing Agnes made him so bitter. Plus, the fact he killed himself in 1961, and really, never got over losing Agnes. It would be quite interesting to read. Guess what I'm adding to my wishlist.A great movie, if you're a bit simple, and like movies that you can actually follow most of the time.

Bing-18 2012-05-09 18:26:41

The Master of Biopics.

Nobody does movie biopics as well as Richard Attenborough, as this isfurther proof of that fact.Sandra Bullock is superb, and though Chris O'Donnell's performance early onis quite bland, the later scenes back in the States show an depth to thecharacter, and a maturity to his acting.The film chooses to avoid the debates on the horrors of war, and mostly anyscenes of the kind, instead prefering to focus on the romance betweenHemingway and Agnes von Kurowsky, which is deals with touchingly withoutbeing over sentimental, while always keeping the threat of the war in theback of your mind.Attenborough has certainly done better biopics, anyone who has seen Chaplinor Ghandi will agree with that, but as an average biopic from Attenboroughis a good biopic to anyone else, this is still an excellent and touchingmovie.

2012-05-05 11:39:37

A moving story

When I first saw this film I did not know what to expect, the film was astounding. Chris O'Donnell as 'the kid' played his character with the exact charm that stood out from the other soldiers. I thought he was portrayed as 'standing out from the rest' hence the man himself became one of the greatest writers of the century. Sandra Bullock played her role with grace and charm. She tried to resist young Ernie but the chemistry and feeling between the two could not be avoided. The ending is sad but it does make the film what it is. It should be critically acclaimed and it was a shame it was slated by the critics as it's such a good movie.

2012-05-04 22:51:19

The review by critics is totally off the wall. Great movie!

This is a stunning movie set in WWI. The critcs must have been watching another movie. Dazzling effects during the war scenes and you really got into the love story with the likeable characters. I would recommend this moive to everyone.

2012-04-30 02:58:09

LOVE AND WAR

This review is from: In Love and War (DVD) SANDRA IS ONE OF MY FAVORITE ACTORS SHE IS PRETTY SMART FUNNY SILLY WITH A GREAT HEART HER MOVIES ARE MAYBE NOT ALL OSCAR THING BUT THEY ARE GREAT TO WATCH.

2012-04-30 00:00:13

Unusual, but enjoyable

Chris and Sandra are both wonderful even though the film moves ratherslowly. An excellent glimpse of WWI and insight into Hemingway. A good filmfor a rainy day.

lgoodman 2012-04-27 02:47:28

This was a fabulous war/ biography movie!

For those of you who have read Hemingway, you will be surprised andcaptivated by the boyishness of the pre-war Hemingway that O'Donnell givesus so beautifully. The episodes in the life of the author that are coveredby In Love and War are for the most part, not pretty. However, they give aninsight into the writing of America's greatest author that no other movie ofhis work has ever done. Those who expected a movie version of A Farewell toArms did not receive it, because the autobiographical In Love and War doesnot tell the same story that the semi-autobiographical book, A Farewell toArms did. In Love and War is far closer to the truth, as other Hemingwayscholars will attest. In that way, this movie is a valuable historical andbiographical resource for people interested in Hemingway and his experiencesin WWII Italy.If you are watching this movie just for fun, however, and not to gaininsight into a book or an author's life, there is much here for you as well.Bullock and O'Donnell have a wonderful chemistry, and the lightheartedmoments are weighed against a tale of great agony and suffering withoutbeing preachy or too painful. There are serious moments, when the realityof life and war come home to Ernest, and there are beautiful moments, whenCatherine explores Italy. It's a wonderful mix of the dramatic and thelight, without being overdone or showy. The realism is striking. I hopethat everyone who watches this movie enjoys it as much as Idid.

Luli2000 2012-04-26 19:05:50

Great movie

I watched the movie about 2 weeks ago, and I loved it. It was verytouchingand it reached the bottom of my heart. I could almost feel the pain of thesoldiers and their family. I think that both Sandra Bullock and ChrisO'Donell are excellent actors and I hope there are more movies like thisinthe future.