Film Review

 A Farewell to Arms (1957)

   Now I'm going to speak on the film A Farewell to Arms (1957). It is a 1957 Americanfilm directed by Charles Vidor. The film is the second feature film adaptation of Ernest Hemingway's 1929 semi-autobiographical novel of the same name. The picture starres Gary Cooper as Frederick Henry and Helen Hayes as Catherine Barkley.

   That was the period of World War I, when a young American lieutenant returned from vacation to the Italian front. There his flat-mate Rinaldi, a profession surgeon, introduced Henry to his acquaintance, American nurse, Catherin Barkley. But the next day the man went to the attack at the head of the river, where he was seriously wounded and got to the hospital to Milan where Catherine was also moved. After an operation, they spent almost all their time together. Thus their love deepened as they got to know that faced alone that terrible war and cruel world. However, when Frederic returned to the front to Gorozia, a big retreat from the front began. Together with Rinaldi and the army, he faced Italian military police, who questioned officers and then shoot. But Frederic escaped by diving into the river. He returned to Milan, having decided that for him the war was finished and he would no longer participate in it. And then together with Catherine they went to Switzerland. Everything was well, until it was time for Catherine’s childbirth, as the doctors had to do a caesarean, but the baby died. And several hours later Henry knows that it was over for his wife, as he died.

    So speaking on the film, I can't say that it impressed me; and firstly, it is due to the director's work. In fact the whole picture can be divided into two parts: only war and only love. Too many episodes are dedicated to war (for example, I didn't experience the whole tragedy of the time, and tragic life of the main characters). While the rest of time is dedicated to love, what actually makes it typical American story about love. And last, the film too tightened: if at first he was a little electrifies, starting from the middle of this voltage drops, and at times it even funny.

   As for the actors, the only one thing can be said: their play was great, though sometimes, it seemed that they overacted a bit. And another thing I'd like to mention is that, in my opinion, the film Henry did not meet Hemingway's Henry: in the film actor matched with too Hollywood appearance (I think the role of a superman would be right for him).

   In conclusion, I'd like to say that as in any other screen version, there are many moments that are cut out in this film, besides the first chapter of the book is missing, but nevertheless, it does not harm the film. 

Film Review

In Love and War (1996)

   Now I’m going to speak about the movie In Live and War (1996). So In Love and War is a 1996 romance drama film based on the book, Hemingway in Love and War by Henry S. Villard and James Nagel, starring  Chris O'Donnell as Ernest 'Ernie' Hemingway and Sandra Bullock as Agnes von Kurowsky.  This film takes place during World War I.

   It was 1918 the First World War, when a young American reporter Ernest Hemingway came to Italy, but was refused to be taken to the front. Being on the firing line, the man got under the enemy’s fire where he was badly wounded. Thus Ernest was taken to the hospital, where he met an American nurse Agnes von Kurovsky, with whom he immediately felt in love. However, soon the woman was transferred closer to the front, while Ernest was sent to the United States. After the war the woman was offered to marry the surgeon, that put an end to two lovers’ relations. She continued her career with the American Red Cross, and Ernest Hemingway continued writing and became one of the most famous novelists of his time.

   It’s an open secret that nowadays there’re a great number of biopic films but not all of them can award the status of the best. However, I think this film deserves it. As you know, In Love and War is based on the novelist’s experience in World War I, and the director – Richard Attenborough – managed to transfer all aspects of Hemingway’s life (especially his spiritual wounds) to a high accuracy. Besides, as it has been already mentioned, the action took place in wartime, and that point is also well reflected in the picture: the battle field, trenches, hospitals, full of seriously wounded and the dead; the atmosphere itself - voltage and bustle in the hospital, convey the seriousness and the gloom of that period. And the only beam in this darkness was love, which didn't stand the test.

   Separately I would like to draw your attention on a good selection of actors and their incredible performances. I won’t be cunning if say that I am delighted with Sandra Bullock’s performance, as in all the movies she's just irresistible. And as always, in this picture actress lives the life of her character, her mimic expressions and movements testify to this. She's like no other perfect for this role: Sandra creates an impression of a strong, smart, kind, and gentle woman; such a description fully complies with her character Agnes von Kurovsky.

   In conclusion, I’d like to say that the film, definitely, deserves attention, though didn't made an expected impression upon me. But it is a must for watching. Besides it differs from Ernest Hemingway's novel A Farewell to Arms, although the latter also contains аautobiographical details. 

Higher Education in Britain and the USA

Higher Education in Britain and the USA