The Whole Wide World

Rating:
Summary: An unrecognized masterpiece
Review: I first saw this movie about a year ago reccommended by a friend of mine and the mere thought of "What if I had never found it?" is almost enough to drive me insane. It immediately became one of my very favorites of all time. I had heard of the pulp writer Robert E. Howard only faintly but after aquainting myself with this film had no other choice than to immerse myself in his works and all I could find about the (only brief) life he led. If you're a fan of the eccentric Robert than you will without a doubt be entertained by his true life story and even if you are not very familiar with him, you will no doubt still be moved by this film. It is taken from the novel "One Who Walked Alone" by Novalyne Price, the one woman who loved and accepted Robert despite all his 'faults' and mental illness and recorded her time spent with him in her journal. Robert E. Howard was considered a misfit and refused to conform to the ways of society, living mostly in the worlds he created on paper as was what he felt most comfortable with. The film tells of their time spent together as friends and so much more and is definitely one of the most touching love stories ever filmed. Not to mention it has THE BEST kiss scene ever portrayed!! Don't expect a melodramatic, sappy love story but rather a simple and enjoyable journey between two people who in many ways needed each other despite their irreconcilable differences. The only warning I have to share is do not watch without a couple of boxes of tissues--and then some.

Rating:
Summary: Move over Hopkins and Brando make room for D'Onofrio
Review: A week ago I saw this film for the first time not expecting it to be anything much. For two hours I sat spellbound at what proved to be one of the very best films I've ever seen. I had only seen Vincent D'Onofrio on television and in one film{Men in Black}. All in all I thought him a capable actor.
But in this film he gives a performance that is nothing less than magnificent. Why this film and it's two leads were never given Oscar consideration is beyond me. I had never heard of Robert E. Howard before I watched this movie. But I have thought of him often since I saw it. I have never seen a film that caused me to feel such empathy for it's characters. I was so impressed with this film I had one of the toughest movie critics I know watch it. {This being my mother.}She said,"That's my kind of movie." If you enjoy A good story about real people wonderfully told, {and don't mind crying a little} You should see this film. This part of my review I just added a year after whats written above. When I go into stores and see the stacks of junky films on DVD it really is maddening to know that one of the very best films made in my lifetime is not only not availibul on DVD in this country but now the VHS is no longer to be had either. I own BOTH and would part with neither. Too bad the powers that be in the film industry work so very hard to keep quality films out of circulation but work equally hard to flood the market with junk. Is it any wonder so many have such a dim view of the film industry?

Rating:
Summary: one true thing
Review: renee zellweger was terrific. she has an amazing talent and will have a very successful acting career

Rating:
Summary: A stunning film!
Review: I rented this film not knowing anything about it... I sat there, watching it, mesmerized. I couldn't take my eyes from the screen. This is a truly remarkable movie. How could I have missed it when it was in the movie theatres?...one of the best films ever made, in every respect, acting, direction, screen play, music, etc. It upsets me that this masterpiece of a film was never recognized by Hollywood when others so undeserving are nominated and win awards. Don't miss this film if you appreciate quality, but be prepared to be emotionally shaken.
D'Onofrio and Zellweger are awesome!! See this film!!!

Rating:
Summary: A different aspect
Review: I, as have the reviewers before me, thoroughly enjoyed this movie. The reviewers before me can be forgiven their assumptions about Bob Howard but not the professional reviewers that precede us all in this column. Their references to his work as comic book creations is enough to drive away any serious movie-goer. His creations were adopted long after his death to, among many others, comic book form by others seeking to capitalize $$
This movie does many things far more wonderful than dwell on the seemingly morose and brooding portrayal of Bob Howard. In fact, despite the glib character breakdowns given by the 'professional' reviewers this movie does a wonderful job at presenting real people in a believable, human, and thoroughly enjoyable attempt at discovery. The acting is top notch, the cinematography is wonderful, and the dynamics that make up a vastly creative mind (Howard's)are hinted at from the point of view of someone who wants to grasp the brilliance but can't (Ms. Price). Such is the observation of the vast majority of us who admire the work of a genius and later discover the odd eccentricities that often accompany these gifted individuals. This movie left much to be desired in that there is so much more to analyze, not in the apparent 'love' struggles of the main characters but, rather, in the disection of the man Robert Ervin Howard and his struggles to create a living writing in the middle of a creative black hole and the personal demons that assail him. This movie suffers from its focus on the fleeting love interest and the ever present time factor, or lack thereof. Given an additional 45 minutes the Whole Wide World could have told the Whole Wide Story.
Having said that, if you don't know who Robert E. Howard is, you're gonna love this movie.

Rating:
Summary: One of the best movies ever
Review: There are very few movies that affect your life. This is one of them. The true story of Novalyne Price's friendship with author Robert Howard is a heartbreaking story. Warning: the characters and story will remain with you for a long time. This is a haunting, gut-wrenching love story. It's too bad that this movie got so little attention when it was originally released. It's truly a great.

Rating:
Summary: Thank you Dan, Vincent,and Renee
Review: All I can say is that the other 5-star reviews are true. Whether or not you've ever heard of Robert E. Howard, this film is a beauty and a true one. As many have noted, it has one of the most perfectly heartbreaking but triumphant endings of any romantic film I've ever seen. If you are a Robert E. Howard fan, don't worry, this film does him absolute justice. But, unless you have the steely heart of Conan, you will be sobbing like a baby at the end.

Rating:
Summary: Have your hanky ready!
Review: What a shame this film didn't make a bigger splash when it hit the screens. All involved did a wonderful job on this movie. D'Onofrio was brilliant as the tortured pulp author Robert Ervin Howard: one could almost believe he had channeled the dead author. Renee Zellwegger delivers as equally a powerful performance as Ervin's sometime girlfriend. All in all, a great movie, with one of the most touching finale's I've witnessed on film. I can't reccommend it more.

Rating:
Summary: Touching moving, great acting
Review: I don't know how I missed "The Whole Wide World" before now. This is exactly the kind of movie that makes the Oscars seem political by its absence from the nominations. Both Vincent D'Onofrio and Renee Zelwegger give extremely touching performances--it's unfortunate that they have been overlooked by the mainstream. The story is very interesting and the director handles what could be a melodramatic tale with grace and understatement. A very good movie for those who like true stories, great romance, and exceptional filmaking.

Rating:
Summary: THANK GOD FOR MOVIE TRAILERS
Review: Otherwise, I would have never seen this wonderful movie. I mean, before seeing this movie, I thought that Conan was a creation of L. Sprague de Camp (that rotten pastiche author). But then I saw this movie trailer for this movie, The Whole Wide World that talked about Robert E. Howard, the CREATOR of Conan. Middle-of-nowhere Texas would be the last place where I'd have thought Conan to be created, much less the eccentric creator having a strong relationship with a fairly conservative girl. Now, this movie is based off the book One Who Walked Alone. I haven't found it yet but I'd like to read it. But while I'm waiting for the book to pop up someday, this movie is enough. I don't normally like romance-type movies, but I REALLY like this one. The characters are so INTERESTING and they act their parts SO well. I especially like Robert E. Howard's monologue about "Who's Conan?" Every time I watch that, Conan yarns flit through my head. In fact, this was the movie that got me hooked on Robert E. Howard's works, then H.P. Lovecraft, etc. So what is the plot of the movie? Well, it's about a young woman who takes a liking to an eccentric pulp-fiction writer. Despite a few opposites and some frictitious times, they make out okay. The ending I think is the most shocking part of the movie--and it's what really happened to Robert E. Howard, too. Of all the movies that I've seen, this movie is way up there on my list and I hope you'll agree after watching it.