Rating: 
Summary: The absolute best movie I have ever seen!
Review: Zellweger and D'Onofrio ... WOW! The chemistry between these two marvelous actors just sizzles. The story is a bittersweet love story that does not disappoint; it is well written and exquisitely directed and performed. The tug-of-war that takes place within the heart of Robert Howard (D'Onofrio),who is trying to choose a life and relationship for himself whilst staying "true" to his invalid mother, is heart-breaking to see. There is a scene on a hilltop where Howard's personal need for teacher Novalyne Price (Zellweger) overcomes his reticence, and they share a kiss that rivals, if not surpasses, the famous kiss between Burt Lancaster and Deborah Kerr in "From Here to Eternity". It is absolutely electric! A later scene in which Howard begs Price for her love and belief is heart-rending. This is a movie in which there is no gratuitous sex, nor is there nudity or foul language. It is simply a great story well told. See it now; it is a keeper. You will not be disappointed!
Rating:
Summary: Vincent will astonish you
Review: I won't go over the plot, since that's been done in many other reviews. I would write, though, that there are not enough movies made like this one. Watching it reminds you what you love about films. It is so beautifully done and, more importantly, beautifully paced, that it makes the movies you see after it seem creepy and cheap even if they're made with blockbuster budgets.Once again, Vincent D'Onofrio shows what acting is all about. He's never false, which would have been easy to be in a role like this one. A lesser actor, or even an average one, would have been tempted to over-do the whole whacky thing. But Vincent makes his character real and touching without being maudlin. Also of note is the actress playing Vincent's character's mother, Anne Wedgeworth. I don't know that I've seen her in anything else, but here she is perfect. She makes me want to be a better actress. It''s amazing how, in such a small role, she can make such an impression. Not really relating to the movie, the commentary is priceless and also pretty funny. The highlight of it is the director saying (about Renee), "How lucky were we to have this little passion flower fall into our laps?" Cracks me up every time.
Rating: 
Summary: THE VAGARIES OF GENIUS
Review: Stumbled on this heartwarming gem of a movie by accident and was pleasantly surprised. A simple yet moving tale of true love. Based on the memoirs of Novalyn Price, veers around her relationship with the creator of "Conan The Barbarian" and "Kull The COnqueror", Bob Howard, who committed suicide. The period is 1930s, location: small-town Texas. Novalyne is a school teacher who wishes to be a published writer, and Howard is already established as a pulp fiction maverick. Both are in their late 20's. As such, you'd think that's a weak scaffolding to lay a spectacular movie on, but the story tiptoes at a very good pace. The script is honest and addictive, and the chemistry between the two protags has that elusive, seductive charm of lovers without being overly somatic. If you think you have seen Zellweger's true class as an actress from Bridget Jones or One True Thing, you haven't seen nothin' yet! The lady is marvellous. D'Onofrio does a fabulous job of being the creative mess of a story writer. What I relished most, apart from the beautiful potrayal of love, was an unspoken grief of being an outlier in society -- the kind of palpable but overt ostracism that "geniuses" face simply by virtue of being extraordinary. Required viewing for the romantics, and some delectable worthy escapism for others.
Rating:
Summary: Hidden Treasure!
Review: I saw a preview for this movie on another movie that I own. It looked like my kind of thing, something I would love. I looked at it online several times, a little afraid to buy it in case I hated it. Well, I was out shopping one day and decided that I wanted it. If I hated it, that's what I get for buying a movie I have never seen. I LOVED it!! I was already a fan of Renee Zellweger and Vincet D'Onofrio, so I had high hopes. It is one of my favorite romantic movies now. I had never heard of Robert Howard, but I was still facsinated. I enjoy true stories, and being a romantic I love the mushy ones! I am not going to spoil the movie by telling you any of the details, but it is one of the best movies I have ever seen. Love, heart break, romance, an electric kissing scene... I was fine until the end, I tend to cry at movies anyway..but Oh My God!! This movie shows the gifts of following your heart and looking at who people are on the inside. Everyone has someone destined to love them. I was so moved, I think every woman should watch this movie.
Rating:
Summary: Question About The DVD....
Review: This is one of my all-time favorite movies. So much so that I bought it on laserdisc to get in widescreen, even though I didn't have an LD player (I put it on VHS with the help of a friend). On the LD there are a couple of added scenes. There is a scene where Robert and Novalyne talk about ancestral memories, a scene where lightning strikes a tree as they sit in the car, and I think another scene with Robert's mother talking about his correspondence with HP Lovecraft. Does anybody know if these are on the DVD? -Thanks
Rating:
Summary: Bitter-sweet love story
Review: Author Robert E Howard--creator of the Conan character--remains a mysterious and problematic literary figure, and the film "The Whole Wide World" attempts to shed some light on the true character of Howard. Novalyne Price Ellis was courted by Howard over a period of years in the 1930s, and the film is based on her book, "One Who Walks Alone." Howard, the son of a local doctor, was already a published writer when he met Novalyne. Unfortunately, given the attitudes of the time, Howard's writing was considered less-than-respectable. Howard lives in more-or-less self-imposed exile at home with his parents, and there he produces stories at a startling rate. Renee Zellweger plays the gentle Novalyne Price--a young teacher who befriends Howard. While everyone else in town finds Howard more than a bit peculiar, Novalyne recognizes that Howard is a talented and deeply sensitive man. Vincent D'Onofrio as Howard gives the impression of someone who isn't entirely comfortable with his own body or his own strength, and I couldn't help but think that the Conan character was Howard's alter ego. The film begins with Howard's first meeting with Novalyne in a small Texas town in the 1930s, and the story concentrates on their relationship--although a few references are made to Howard's fictional characters and his friendship with H.P. Lovecraft. This bitter-sweet story does not seek to provide answers to the many mysteries about Howard's life but delivers an account by someone who knew and loved "the greatest pulp fiction writer." I really wanted to know more about Howard's career, and his relationship with his mother, but the film does not delve into those aspects of Howard's life. As a fan of the Conan character, I was attracted to the film, and I found the film worthwhile--displacedhuman.
Rating:
Summary: Unlike any film you've seen in a very long time....
Review: I was overwhelmed by this enchanting, moving and heartfelt film. This is the film if you want to be swept off to another time, but be prepared to stay there for awhile. After you cry, you still won't be able to let it go. It's a beautiful love story, portrayed so perfectly. Just the music makes me fill up with tears. The newly-released DVD version has commentary from the film makers, and is almost as wonderful as the film. They pour over the heart and soul that went into the making of this masterpiece like that of beaming parents. Renee Zellweger talks about the heat, bugs, and long hours while filming but says it was so joyful and love-filled that it wasn't a burden, and Vincent D'Onofrio is too embarrassed to watch their beautifully breathtaking screen kiss during the commentary. You realize how much this film was a part of them, all of them. This assemblage of talent just pooled their passion, siphoned it onto the film and delivered it with pride. As I listened, I couldn't help but be proud for them.
Rating:
Summary: AMAZING, TOUCHING, SUPERB
Review: I first saw this movie on the women entertainment channel and I was glued to the screen. It was simply amazing, and wonderful. Rene and Vincent have such good chemistry together. This a love story that hasn't been cooked up by hollywood but a true life emotional and sometimes heartbreaking love story. Novelyn cares about what people think and yet she is attracted to Bob who could care less. She falls in love and so does he but his attention towards his mother breaks them apart. He can't let go of her and at the end he commits suicide because he found out there was no way his mother would make it through her illness he shoots a bullet through his head survives the night and then dies. Novelyn far away receives a telegram of bob's death and she starts writing him a letter but she breaks down. The way it is acted it will break your heart. It's so touching. It's a dvd or vhs that every movie lover should own. It's so heartbreaking but it also makes you love life. It is truly superb and a must see. "Look at the sunset I ordered for you girl."
Rating:
Summary: A brilliant and moving film...
Review: As a recent discoverer of the immense talents of Vincent D'Onofrio, I was eager to see this film, since references to it abound as being one of the best romantic movies of the 1990's, and a tour de force for both Vincent and Reneé Zellweger. I recently obtained the videotape and was mesmerized by The Whole Wide World. The viewer is transported to rural Texas, where a night out driving through the cornfields provides an evening's entertainment. The small things really touched me -- the beautiful photography in golden late-afternoon light, the spot-on Texas accents, and the little gestures of social awkwardness portrayed by Vincent D'Onofrio as he captures the often simultaneous joy and pain of the relationship between Robert E. Howard and Novalyne Price. And finally The Kiss.... this scene of unleashed passion merits a special award of some kind, or at least to be heralded as one of the great screen kisses of all time!! Hopefully this re-release as a DVD will somehow create a renaissance of interest in this overlooked but stunning movie!
Rating:
Summary: Incredible but true!
Review: It's thrilling that The Whole Wide World is coming out on DVD at long last! It's an experience you'll never forget! Renee Zellweger has never been spunkier or cuter or had more character. You'll fall in love with Vincent D'Onofrio and care deeply about the life of Robert E. Howard and of Novalyne Price. Thank you, Dan Ireland, for such a moving and meaningful movie about the creator of Conan the Barbarian and the wonderful young teacher he fell in love with. After seeing the movie, I bought the book One Who Walked Alone and have desperately sought all I can find about this movie. And yes, that kiss is the most amazing and breathtaking ever! I LOVE The Whole Wide World!
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