pootypootwell I can't say this is a great movie, but I don't know why the critics were so hard on it - currently 8% on by Metacritic professional critics. Hemingway had a long and adventuresome life, and this movie captures the last year he spent at his Cuban estate, Finca Vigia. The beautiful, sprawling, gated estate had been a source of comfort for Hem through two divorces, multiple wars, and the withering of his talent. By 1959, Hem's cumulative emotional distress is mirrored in Cuba's political unrest, and the film captures that quite perfectly.Giovanni Ribisi as Hemingway's new, young writer friend is more toned down that he is in other amped-up roles, and Adrian Sparks effectively becomes Hemingway; it's hard to believe it isn't him in many scenes. Joely Richardson was a terrific foil, moving through the turbulence of their marriage minute by minute, showing the deep love she had for him but also the anger she had at his drunken antics. The film had some very nice touches, like the poly-dactyl cat in a very brief scene; Hemingway loved poly-dactyls in his later years. I felt the movie was fairly well-paced and beautifully filmed. The drama around -- no spoilers -- some government issues was a little out of left field tone-wise, but otherwise I found it a rather lovely little picture, an admirable tribute to a great writer and a flawed man with a lasting legacy.

jrcadams-231-553486 I loved seeing places that were familiar to me from recent visits. As I watched the film, I recognized many scenes that I have seen before. The film was released in 2016, but I saw at least parts of it years ago. The nude scenes were missing from the version I saw, so I suspect it was a TV special, and some scenes were cut.I don't know why it got some terrible reviews. I could understand it if someone thought it could be better, but at least one review was negative for every aspect of the film, acting, directing, music. It almost looked like a conspiracy! I suspect that the aborted FBI raid on the fishing vessel was cooked up for a bit of drama, but didn't actually happen. Apart from that, it was, in fact, a perfectly respectable film.

nlewtus I'm baffled by the hostility of many professional critics to this film. (The user, or amateur, reviewers are much more accurate, fair, knowledgeable and balanced. I'm finding this is true with user book reviews also. The amateur reviewers often know much more, care more, and are less biased about the subject than the professional reviewers.) I think the reason that so many professional critics did not like this film is because in liberal circles today Hemingway is very much out of fashion, and looked down upon. He is 'politically incorrect' now. Also Hemingway is not nearly as popular and well known today as was the case from 1930 to 1965.If you know about and like this famous author, as I do, this is the film for you. The stage actor, Adrian Sparks, who plays Hemingway nails the author's look, mannerisms, ideas, and even the sound of his voice. The film captures perfectly Hemingway's relationship with his prickly last wife, Mary, his mental state and concerns, and his relationship with friends, in the late 1950s period in Cuba, all per the historical record. And an added treat is that the film was made in Cuba at Hemingway's actual home, and favorite bar, the Floridita. The director may have even used the author's actual fishing boat the 'Pilar', which used to be kept at the Finca Vigia Estate after the author's death. If not it was a very close replica right down to the black hull. Also I thought screenwriter Denne Petitclerc's, a friend of the Hemingways, script was accurate, honest, inclusive, intelligent, well done, and thoughtful.

Montessahall Montessahall As my title to this review states if one knows a lot about Hemingway's life this movie might be an enjoyable experience. If you don't know much you may get lost in the story. I have read the majority of Hemingway's books and just about everything available about his personal life. Still, the film twists a few facts and leaves out significant pieces of information. There are a few story lines that don't connect very well. Hemingway's alleged knowledge of a cross-dressing J Edgar Hoover is offered as the reason for the FBI's harassment of Hemingway. Other research suggests the feud between these two was far more complicated. The scenes of Cuba alone are worth seeing the movie.