Wrestling Ernest Hemingway (1993)

You won't be disappointed!

Sorry, this movie sucks

It's entirely possible that sending the audience out feeling lousy was intentional

One of the worst ways to make a cult movie is to set out to make a cult movie.

A movie I stumbled upon accidentally in a video store, WRESTLING ERNEST HEMINGWAY turned out to be a complete and utterly delightful comedy-drama that, though probably not for all tastes, would be a wonderful film for anyone to see who appreciates really great acting. The film takes place in Florida and traces the unlikely friendship that develops between a straight-laced, Cuban, retired barber (Robert Duvall)and a free-spirited, independent-minded, retired naval officer (Richard Harris) who brags to anyone who will listen about his wonderful relationship with his son, who, in reality, is just too busy for him. This warm and engaging character study is not so big on story, but on the relationship that develops between these two diversely different people who eventually find a way to connect with each other. Harris, in particular, is just remarkable in his gutsy, totally unhinged performance that should have earned him an Oscar nomination. There are effective supporting turns by Sandra Bullock as a waitress Duvall has a crush on, Shirley MacLaine as Harris' landlady and Piper Laurie as a local lady Harris fancies, but this movie is mainly an acting showcase for two of the best...Robert Duvall and the sublime, divine (and deeply missed) Richard Harris.

I am a big fan of Richard Harris but he unfortunately hasn't had interesting roles very often. Camelot was endearing, Wild Geese was entertaining, Cromwell was interesting but none of that showed his real power as an actor. This movie does at last! Alec Guinness said once that true comedians are theater actors because we don't see their faces up-close and they can act a different personality than themselves whereas cinema actors are often shot very close and therefore, they show much more their own self: think about Jimmy Stewart (certainly very close from his characters). I think that Richard Harris was also very close to the characters he embodied and it makes me like him even more.But let's talk about the movie: it's very well shot, edited, adapted, superbly acted. The storyline is very well developed with an amazing character study, very profound and very moving. Technically, it's not very far from deserving a 10 out of 10, but I may give this grade for personal reasons, because the movie touches me particularly. It talks about loneliness and the aging of the body, the frustrations from both. Harris meets Duvall (also amazing) and become friend with him. Both are very lonely. Harris waits for his son, who is living faraway, and who planned to take him to the fireworks for the 4th of July. At the last minute, the son cancels his visit. It leaves Harris devastated with disappointment and sadness. Maybe, the character that Harris plays hasn't been a very good dad and this maybe why the son isn't very kind and caring with him, but what about forgiveness? We obviously pick side for Harris' character because despite his flaws, he's touching and endearing. I live very far from my dad (he's back in Europe). He's aging, he's lonely and even if we get along very well and I have nothing to reproach to myself, I feel sorry for him and this movie reminds me of his life and breaks my heart. I am still young but I have known loneliness and I can imagine the difficulties of having an aging body. It scares me like most of us I presume. Watch this movie if you want to know a little bit more about life.

I saw this film by chance, was working at home with the TV humming, and it caught my attention. Didn't do much work! It's a great piece of acting, Duvall is amazing as an old Cuban bachelor, and Harris is very touching as a lonely retired sailor (oops sorry... captain!). MacLaine has a smaller part, but acts it perfectly, with a classy economy of emotions. They all fit their characters like gloves.The whole film is a quite little masterpiece, and extremely emotional. Couldn't stop the tear flow ;o) I'm rushing to see what else that director did, Randa Haines. Not surprised this film was directed by a woman, it's got that light yet deep emotional quality...Another excellent aspect of this film is the way the atmosphere is depicted. You can feel the heat, and laid back lifestyle of... wherever it's taking place... Miami? A superb sound track, Cuban Son, helps a lot too.Great film to see if you're in a thoughtful mood, and if you're looking for something else than action blockbusters.

The teaming of Robert Duvall and Richard Harris sounded promising even before this film opened, and neither disappoint in this tale of a couple of elderly oddballs having one last fling. Walter (Duvall) is a shy man, who has never danced with a woman, and whose only friend is a young waitress (Sandra Bullock) for whom he has developed a quaint affection. Frank (Harris) is a boaster, who claims to have wrestled with Hemingway – hence the film's title – who antagonises his landlady (Shirley MacLaine) and his lady friend (Piper Laurie); his family largely ignore him.The beauty of this film, written by twenty-one year old Steve Conrad and directed by Randa Haines, is that it gives you both a belief in the characters, and a genuine interest in what will happen to them. As Walter and Frank, misfits both, become friends, we cheer them on and are concerned for them at the same time. There can't be a happy ending for both of them (and there isn't), but this movie really is a celebration of age and what can be achieved beyond the prime of life. Bullock, Laurie and MacLaine are fine in small, less showy role, but this movie belongs squarely to Duvall and Harris.