Yar, you be here: The Whole Wide World > Customer Reviews

The Whole Wide World Customer Reviews (25 - 27 of 32 Reviews)

A haunting gem -- don't miss it
This film should be used as example of independent filmmaking at its finest. Made on a shoestring budget with then unknown actors, director Dan Ireland creates a film that is by turns sweeping, intimate, funny and tragic. He takes the viewers into 1930s smalltown Texas and makes you feel like you are there -- you can see how he trusts his actors to portray their characters, and they in turn don't disappoint

Vincent D'Onofrio and Renee Zellweger both give unique and memorable performances in this haunting love story. One never feels that they are "acting", even for a minute. One senses the tragedy in the relationship between pulp fiction writer Bob Howard and teacher Novalyne Price, but also the sweetness that led her to write the memoir on which this film was based, many years later.

View this film, it will not disappoint. I think it is one of the top ten films I've ever seen. It's a crime that it was not more widely released, or recognized by the Academy Awards. Both actors were deserving of Best Actor/Actress recognition for their work, but I guess small non-moneymaking films don't stand much of a chance in that arena! In my book, Vincent D'Onofrio bested the Best Actor award for that year, Nicholas Cage, by several degrees. This film introduced me to his work, and he is an actor who never fails to give a memorable performance, no matter how small or offbeat the part.

A moving, exceptionally well-acted, nearly flawless movie .
This film tells the unforgettable, yet little known story of schoolteacher Novalyne Price's relationship with Robert E. Howard, creator of Conan the Barbarian and one of the greatest of the "pulp" fiction writers. Their characters are brought to life with exceptional dignity and skill by Renee Zellweger and Vincent D'Onofrio. Their performances transcended the characters and they became, for me, Novalyne and Robert. I have seldom seen a movie that draws me in as much as this one; watching it once is not enough, and it becomes better with every viewing. The romance between the two is complex and continually frustrated by Robert's inability to simply accept Novalyne's love for him, his bizarre outbursts, and unnatural closeness to his mother. The end of their story is very painful but beautifully enacted by Renee Zellweger; I still cry every time I see it. Her portrayal of Novalyne is of a young woman full of inner strength; spunky, outspoken yet very tender and feminine. And Vincent D'Onofrio brings just the right combination of intensity and vulnerability to the role of Robert. A heartbreaking, wonderful story that deserves to be seen. Hopefully more of its kind will continue to be made.

Pleasantly Surprised
I just ran across this movie on cable and thoroughly enjoyed it. When Renee Zelleweger thanked Vincent D'Onofrio at the Oscars when she won for her role in "Cold Mountain," I didn't understand why. Now I do. They were brilliant together. I've long been a fan of Vincent D'Onofrio and his work and this film was no exception. It really let me feel what life was like in the 1930s and the frustrations that go with it. Truly a wonderful film.

Previous Page

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11

Next Page