Rating: 
Summary: Beautiful and Touchingly Realized Drama
Review: After retiring from teaching, lifelong aspiring writer Novalyne Price wrote her first book at age 76, "One Who Walked Alone," a memoir dedicated to the memory of pulp fiction writer Robert E. Howard, and upon which this film, "The Whole Wide World," directed by Dan Ireland, is based. The film paints a soul wrenching portrait of a man who was larger than life in the world of his own creation, but who was a socially inept, self-proclaimed "lummox" in the real world, who had an unhealthy devotion to his sickly mother and had trouble expressing his true feelings to the woman he obviously loved. To Novalyne Price-- as well as his legions of devoted readers-- Howard was the greatest pulp writer in the whole wide world. But to him, living in a small town in Texas in the '30s, that world was populated by "maggots of corruption," and was a dangerous place filled with outlaws, thieves and robbers. He masked his true poetic nature with an outwardly gregarious manner and bravura, which, along with his self-imposed exile from society made his on-again-off-again relationship with Price nearly insurmountable. To the world, he gave Conan the Barbarian and some of the greatest action adventures ever written; to Novalyne he gave the sunrise, the sunset and the moon, but was incapable of giving himself, telling her, "The road I walk, I walk alone." Not that it was what he wanted, but it was all he knew how to do in the "real" world, which he sadly never learned to negotiate. Working from a sensitive, extremely well written screenplay by Michael Scott Myers, Ireland compassionately explores Howard's world through the eyes of Novalyne Price. What we see is an enigmatic, lonely man struggling with the demons of his soul, who escapes to the worlds of his fantasies in order to cope with life. He is most comfortable talking about his work, and the lands of his imagination. When relating one of his "yarns, as he called his stories, he is on his feet, swelling his chest and becoming Conan, sword in hand, battling beasts and enemies and rescuing scantily clad women from harm. He is transported by his own characters, and watching, the audience is taken along with him, swept away by the passion in his eyes and the sounds of clanking swords. When he writes, he speaks his words aloud, passionately losing himself in the story even as he is creating it. And these scenes, backed by the captivating score by Hans Zimmer and Harry Gregson-Williams, are especially powerful and emotionally riveting, which underscores the action and heightens the emotional level and the viewers involvement with the characters and the story. Ireland juxtaposes the intimacy of the story with some stunning visuals and superb cinematography that will keep Howard and Price in your memory long after the film has ended. It's terrific work by Ireland, and deserving of the highest acclaim. In a criminally unacclaimed and overlooked performance, Vincent D'Onofrio is absolutely astounding in the role of Bob Howard. The work he does here can stand alongside the best performances of the greatest actors. In this film, he IS Howard, physically and emotionally, from the inside out. He captures every emotion, vividly, with nuance and to perfection; the repressed feelings, the constant, inner turmoil of the man who had confidence in the one thing he knew how to do-- write-- but who also recognized that he was a misfit who lacked even the basic, everyday skills of survival. It's a painful portrait of a tortured individual to whom one can relate and empathize because of D'Onofrio's consummate skill as an actor. It's simply a staggeringly powerful and memorable performance. Renee Zellweger gives an excellent performance, as well, as Novalyne Price, this somewhat progressive, though rather straight-laced young woman frustrated time and again in her attempts to break through the complexities of this man to whom she is ready to devote her life. It's an endearing portrait of a strong, yet vulnerable woman willing to forego many of the conventions of the times for the man she loves, if only he would meet her halfway. She creates a character with whom you can readily sympathize and identify, making Novalyne very real and her relationship with Howard believable. It's a beautiful piece of work, for which-- like D'Onofrio-- she did not receive the attention she deserved. The supporting cast includes Ann Wedgeworth (Mrs. Howard), Harve Presnell (Dr. Howard), Benjamin Mouton (Clyde), Michael Corbett (Booth), Helen Cates (Enid), Leslie Berger (Ethel) and Chris Shearer (Truett). There's life as we'd like it to be, and life as it really is, and "The Whole Wide World" is a masterfully presented character study that succinctly examines that situation. It's an insightful and emotionally gripping film that explores human nature and the often incomprehensible workings of the mind that compel individuals to do what they must do. In the end, it's a film that will touch you in many ways, and will linger in your thoughts for more than just a little while.
Rating:
Summary: Brilliant Performances.
Review: As far as know not many people have seen this little gem. So if you haven't get your hands on it. It's truly a beautiful romance movie. A period piece. Renee Zelwegger and Vincent D'Onofrio were both extradinary and put everything they had into these rolls. Overall the movies flows very nicely, bound to bring a tear to your eye.
Rating:
Summary: The Whole Wide World in 2 hours.
Review: As I normally do, I rent movies based on the VHS box design. I didn't read any of its back literature so I knew nothing about this movie, with no preconceived ideas. It turned out to be a very poignant film that engulfed me with its most bizarre love relationship between the two main characters, Novalyne Price and "Bob" Howard. Anytime they were close to anything wonderful, Robert would try to distance himself from Novalyne. When finally Novalyne distanced herself from him, he could not bear the thought of living without her. I was captivated by this movie from the opening scene all through the end. Brilliant movie. As a side note, the cinematography is simply divine. The images (sunsets, sunrises, scenery) are stunning.
Rating:
Summary: This is a gem that should become a classic...
Review: ... but I'm afraid it won't. A "little film" that so captured my heart four years ago that I bought the book upon which it's based and the video when it came out. I'm writing this review after viewing the video yet again in the hopes that someone else will watch this treasure and spread the word so that it will get the recognition and audience it deserves. The story of the love between Robert E. Howard and Novalyne Price is brought to life effectively by actors Vincent D'Onofrio and Renee Zellweger. They show an incredible understanding of their characters and depth of feeling in their portrayals. You can't help being frustrated by their attempts to connect, and yet you know that their true hearts somehow do. What this film also shows like no other I've seen is the reality of loving an artist--one who is consumed by his work, his art, his passion. And how you can be dear to that person but still outside of his world. Added to this, of course, is an obsessive mother-son relationship that somehow comes across as sympathetic. So Novalyne had her work cut out for her, but she also had incredible strength and will forces of her own. Although she doesn't deeply question the conventions of society, she recognizes her debt to them. She achieves much in her own life and refuses to get cynical. And Renee Zellweger embodies her and makes us feel her deep esteem and appreciation for Robert E. Howard. Vincent D'Onofrio is a wonder. You've got to see this movie to appreciate the way he brings the pulp writer to larger than life. D'Onofrio has done many great roles, but I think at this point his portrayal of Robert E. Howard is a career-best. It's a romance, an adventure, a history, and an intrigue all in one, featuring one of the most passionate screen kisses ever, a great score, beautiful vistas, and wondrous performances.
Rating:
Summary: The marriage of film, literarture and art ~ A masterpiece!
Review: Never has a film made such an impact on my life as did the Whole Wide World. The film's message to me was that one should not waste their natural artistic abilities. After watching an insecure character like Robert E. Howard shrivel under the pressure of his life, I realized that a true mark of success is the ability to overcome the pressures and obligations that stand in the way. The creative talent responsible for the film is something that should not be overlooked. The breathtaking film is adapted from the Price-Ellis memoir The One Who Walked Alone. Price-Ellis wanted nothing more throughout her entire life than to write a novel. Her god-given talent of teaching kept her from fulfilling her dream until she was in her 70's. The book hasn't made it to national best-seller lists, but how often does a truly worthy book make it anyway? The director Dan Ireland researched the story thoroughly before bringing it to film. His compassion exhibited towards the elderly author was very commendable. It is my opinion that he truly wanted to represent the story in its exact and incredible form. Keep an eye out for his fantastic work in the future. He is currently working on another period love story called The Beauty of Jane. Also on video is the Velocity of Gary. The acting in The Whole Wide World is so awesome it is frightening, almost as if they left their bodies during the filming process. D'Onofrio is in a class by himself and Zellweger should have never moved on to films like Me, Myself and Irene. They are so far below her talent level it is tragic. The film is among my top ten of all time. I have shamelessly promoted it through my business and circle of friends. How many times can you watch a video before it starts to fall apart?
Rating:
Summary: Makes me cry
Review: You cannot watch this movie without crying. I've been obsessed with Robert E. Howard since I was ten years old and I have been to Cross Plains and seen his house. This film is wonderful as is the book on which it is based. I really wish morons would stop referring to Conan as a comic book character as he is a character created in the pulps of the thirties. Howard is one the truly great writers of the twentieth century and his poetry is unequaled. The mess that has been made of many of his characters is whats really barbaric(Kull the Conquerer, anyone?). See this film if you are fan of Howard.
Rating:
Summary: Great Story, Great Acting, Great Movie
Review: Movies have a checkered history when they tell a story about a historical person, be it Van Gogh or Elizabeth or Howard. Our knowledge of the historical person often clashes with the necessary liberties taken by the movie's makers. Not so in "Whole Wide World". The account jibes well with what I have read of Howard, certainly in tone and mood and also in fact. Howard was a little know pulp writer of the 30's whose literary legacy is now little known and, except for the Conan movies, being rapidly forgotten. He lived and died in central Texas, leading an eccentric and psychologically problematical life. Of no interest to a movie maker, one would think. However, another unknown person, Novalyne Price, wrote an account of her youthful relationship with this wanna-be barbarian, and provided a lens that provides depth and insight into a largely wasted life. The movie is a story of doomed love -- doomed by the different histories, values, personalities, and capabilities of the man and woman. The art of this movie is showing us see the clash while we understand and approve the love. In spite of the best and earnest efforts of both lovers, the romance can only spiral and fade and die. Novalyne goes on and Howard goes out. In tone, the movie is somewhat like "Splendor in the Grass" -- two little known and inconsequential people who live in a small, constrained world, yet who experience a relationship that is signficant as any human's -- however mighty. A final word -- acting. D'Onofrios' Howard is an emotive, explosive tour de force -- an unpredictable volcano that rumbles and spews and erupts from time to time. He makes believable an unbelievable character. In my opinion, Zellweger's Price is a perfect counterpoint to his character -- spunky, honest, balanced, open, conventional, and aware. I simply have never seen emotion and thought play over a face like Renée Zellweger's in this movie. In my opinon, this is one of the best ten movies ever made. It is a small story writ very large.
Rating:
Summary: Elegiac
Review: I first saw this movie at the Dallas Museum of Art at a film series. It was introduced as an "elegiac" story, and I have to admit, I had to look up the word to be sure what it meant. The movie itself, though, blew me away. It captures the feel and texture of West Texas so well. I went out and bought the book, "He Who Walks Alone," by Novalyne Price Ellis and feel that the book complements the movie very well, they are better together than alone. Bill
Rating:
Summary: Bitterweet romance
Review: Like many people, I got this movie because I am a fan of the pulp writers in general and Robert E. Howard in specific. I had known some of the details of his lonely life and sad death. I was very impressed with The Whole Wide World. It was very nice to see the creator of "Conan the Barbarian" treated with respect and tenderness. Renee Zellweger and Vincent D'Onofrio give outstanding performances as Novalyne Price and Robert E. Howard. The film gives an honest look at their relationship, and tells the story of a awkward young man who was far more at home in his mythical land of Cimmera than the reality of Texas. His "penpal" friendship with H.P. Lovecraft, another flawed pulp writer who lived through his writings and died young, is also mentioned. Perhaps pulp writing was not a career that invited longevity and mental wholeness. But Novalyne loved him, and remembered him enough to write the book that this movie is based on. Also, as proof that this movie lives beyond Robert E. Howard's fan base , my wife liked it as much as I did. The Whole Wide World is a very touching romance.
Rating: 
Summary: A sad and touching story...
Review: I am not much for 'romantic' films but seeing this was based on Robert E. Howard I had to watch it. It is very well paced drama and all the acting is top notch. The only flaw I see with the movie is a bit mroe on the realtion between Robert and his mother... but that is not the focus of the film, so is forgivable. Very touching film and something I would buy if it came out on DVD.
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