Customer Reviews

In Love and War

5 star:		(19)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(4)

 

 

I will readily admit, I am a complete sucker for love stories. They make me go all warm & gooey inside. And when you're not feeling too great, you can curl up and enjoy. There's hardly any violence - it's set at the end of WWI, there has to be a little violence, but that's all confined to the start - it has two great actors playing the parts, and it's set in beautiful countryside. What more could you want?

I've read a few of the reviews about this, and I have to disagree with nearly every person (sorry). You're not getting the movie really, are you? It's a love story. There are no complicated plots to follow. No twists and turns in the story. Hell, you don't even need to be that smart to watch this movie. And I'm certainly nothing of the sort in that department! Which is probably why I like these movies. You don't need to think much about them, and they're perfectly easy to follow.

There are some great love scenes in this, although there are is no graphic, mind-blowing sex. It's simple of how Agnes & Ernie eventually become a proper couple in the most romantic of places - a brothel. And then they have a "waltz" together, which is so romantic.

But the build up to their relationship can bring a little tear to the eye. (I told you I was a soppy cow) Whether it's Ernie telling Agnes that he loves her the first time he sees her, in a voice that will make me anyway go weak at the knees, or when he tries to comfort her after Jimmy dies. All are totally romantic. And other reviews say that there's no build up to their relationship, it's all over very quickly, but what they're forgetting - this was during a war, no one had time for quickness. Life's too short.

The finale is really sad. If you haven't seen it, then I'm not going to be the one to spoil it for you, but it's a real heart-breaker. Things could have been so different only if ... I'll stop there!

After watching this movie, it's got me interested in Ernest Hermingway's work, so that'll be something for me to keep my eye out for. I wouldn't say his work exactly, but probably the story of his life, and why losing Agnes made him so bitter. Plus, the fact he killed himself in 1961, and really, never got over losing Agnes. It would be quite interesting to read. Guess what I'm adding to my wishlist.

A great movie, if you're a bit simple, and like movies that you can actually follow most of the time.

I was honestly and completely moved by this film. It was beautifuly directed with fantastic performances by Sandra Bullock and Chris O'Donnel. Their chemistry is so good that one effortlessly feels the increasing sexual tension in merely seeing Chris O'Donnel lovingly place his hands on Sandra Bullock's shoulders-demonstrating that when it comes to true screen romance; less is more. This is not to say that 'In Love and War' is devoid of passion; it depicts a love affair at it's most passionate and magical whilst still maintaining an beauty and mystery. In short, bravo Ms Bullock and Mr O'Donnel! Their sensitive and touching portrayal of two complex characters was a joy to watch, and quite frankly I find it almost unbelievable that one could describe this film as anything other than a beautiful love story; one that is as tragic as it is passionate. Not since seeing Richard Chamberlain and Rachel Ward in 'The Thorn Birds'have I been so thoroughly engrossed in a love story. This is a must see for anyone who has lost faith in the Film Industry's ability to produce great romantic films. You'll laugh,you'll cry, you'll smile and sigh...and then watch it all over again!!

Richard Attenborough's story of the relationship between Ernest Hemingway and Anges von Kurowsky (the inspiration behind the novel A Farewell to Arms) is recounted in this film. It is truly an epic film, covering the last year of the First World War, during which time Hemingway was injured while a member of the Red Cross, to his meeting and blossoming love for Kurowsky, to the pensive, melancholy conclusion to their relationship after the war.

The film has a rich, sweeping feel to it. Attenborough does a wonderful job at direction, blending the gorgeous cinematography (from Italian battlefields to Venician waterways) with the loving, at-times heart-wrenching musical score. However, the film is not manipulative, as most recent romance films are. Instead, it is allowed to unfold slowly and naturally, and it has a more honest feel to the characterizations than you find in most mainstream Hollywood films.

On its initial release, one of the main complaints about the film was the unusual casting of Chris O'Donnell as Hemingway and Sandra Bollock as Kurowsky. In actuality, Bollock gives a very commendable performance, and I believe this film shows her best acting to date. In most of her other films, she just plays Sandra Bollock with a different name, but here, she suppresses her usual idiosyncrasies and creates a true character. While I enjoyed a lot of her other films (Speed, While You Were Sleeping), this is really her best and most underrated performance. O'Donnell is somewhat less successful - it is hard to imagine him as a young Hemingway, and he seems like an anachronistic Boy Wonder. His mannerisms don't seem to fit with a 1910s mentality. However, he is not terrible, as some reviewers might have you believe. He delivers a decent performance; in fact, if you drop any pre-conceived notions of the real Ernest Hemingway and try to view O'Donnell's character as just another spunky youth caught in the excitement of wartime, his performance works well in the context of the film.

Personally, I like this film a lot. It's gorgeous, it's romantic, and it feels like a sweeping epic. If you enjoy films like The English Patient or A Room with a View, you'll enjoy this film.

Just a few words about the DVD, which I bought....this is an essentially bare-bones DVD. There are the usual small extras (subtitles, trailer, cast notes) but nothing else. You can choose to view it as widescreen or full-screen. But there is no commentary or documentary...

So, if you like romantic films, give this film a chance....you may be surprised at how it slipped by your notice. Recommended!

A Romantic movie with a sad ending. The only reason I think this movie isnt super great is because the emotional connection between the two main characters isnt developed enough. Its kind of like they fell in love the next day and thats it. I wish their getting to love eachother would have been more focused on. Still its not a bad movie.

I was first struck my the musical score which was so rich and
colorful. Add to that the superb performances on the parts
of Sandra Bullock and Chris O'Donnell and you have a winner. It is therefore no suprise that the film won high honors. I think Sir Richard Attenborough's direction was suberb in every sense of the word. Such an evocotave story with war as a backdrop truly brought forth an emotional tension that is hard to describe. I also thought the supporting actors must have been hand picked because they fitted so easily in to the very fabric of the film. I certainly give this film a roaring "Five Star"
rating.

When I first saw this film I did not know what to expect, the film was astounding. Chris O'Donnell as 'the kid' played his character with the exact charm that stood out from the other soldiers. I thought he was portrayed as 'standing out from the rest' hence the man himself became one of the greatest writers of the century. Sandra Bullock played her role with grace and charm. She tried to resist young Ernie but the chemistry and feeling between the two could not be avoided. The ending is sad but it does make the film what it is. It should be critically acclaimed and it was a shame it was slated by the critics as it's such a good movie.

Despite many of the reviews, I think this is quite a nice piece. It is a sad love story based upon the first love of Ernest Hemmingway.

Chris O'Donnell plays the young Hemmingway as a young American adventurer seeking excitement in northern Italy during the end of the first world war as a corpsman. He would rather be a soldier but he is too young and did not make it through the physical so he signs up for the Red Cross. While seeking excitement up on the battle line when he is supposed to be serving coffee behind the lines, he distinguishes himself by heroism as the trench is overrun and is wounded in the process. That brings him to a hospital where he meets the nurse who enraptures him.

Sandra Bullock plays the nurse. She is competent, caring and considers herself too old for the young Hemmingway. Still, she is attracted to him and fights a losing battle against his "charm". Meanwhile, just about everyone else wants her attentions as well. She finds herself being torn in differing directions by her heart on the one hand and her intellect on the other.

What makes this film difficult is that Sandra's character of the nurse is a very likeable person. O'Donnell's Hemmingway manages to be likeable as well except when his arrogance and vanity get in the way; I'm talking about Hemmingway's, not O'Donnell's. You get through this film thinking that she is just too good for him and that he doesn't deserve her. You also get a bit angry at her treatment of him at some points.

Love stories have to have a bit of conflict to make them interesting. This one has more than it's share. For that reason, the romance seems to be one destined for failure.

This is truly a masterpiece.

It surrounds the tragedy of young Ernest Hemingway(Chris O'Donnell) who gets injured during WWI. The subsequent romance with the Nurse, Agnes von Kurowsky(Sandra bullock) who helps him get back on his feet is interesting, as is the cinematography of the lush Italian landscape.

Set as a love story with WWI as the backdrop, it quickly becomes a tragic tale of reality once the War finishes. The final two minutes of this film are heartbreaking because it is real- it happened, and it was the cause for the great Ernest Hemingway's suicide.

Though he may have forgived her in the end, his "pride" was too great that he couldn't accept their relationship as being pure.Agnes never saw Ernest Hemingway again after Wahloon Lake(i think thats the spelling) but she claimed that "I would love you for as long as I live"...

The fact that this is based on a true story and that Ernest never found happiness in life this is basically the truest american tragedy. The question the viewer ponders at the end is "WHAT IF"....sadly reality is bitter, and there are no HAPPY ENDINGS.

Agnes Von Kurowsky served in WWII in the Red cross and lived to be 92...

Ernest Hemingway served in WWII and committed suicide at 62, one of the most famous writers of his generation.

Definitely one of the saddest movies of all time.

Curiosity after reading "A Farewell to Arms" led to the diaries of Agnes von Kurowsky and ultimately to Sir Attenborough's film. The fact that the film takes some liberties with the actual timeline of the story (Agnes' assignments, her non-existent reunion with Hemingway in Missouri), the film itself was heartbreakingly beautiful. Chris O'Donnell did a fine job as the young Ernest Hemingway, but I wonder why the vibrant, flirtatious Aggie was played with such serious somberness by Sandra Bullock? The Agnes we read about in the book was indeed a serious and committed nurse, but her personality was the polar opposite of the film portrayal. This is not to say that Sandra Bullock is a bad actress - I just think the direction for her character was wrong.

Ernest Hemingway clearly loved Agnes von Kurowsky with a passion that could only be fulfilled on the written page. For both parties involved, the timing of the love affair was ill-fated.

I have come to one conclusion over the years...I will never agree with professional critics. Movies they highly praised, I have walked out on. Movies they dislike I have fell in love with. Case in point, the movie, In Love and War, was one the critics bombed. However, I found this to be a beautiful, period piece, which gave me a glimpse into the events that formed Ernest Hemingway's adult life. Personally, I felt the actors did a fine job. The script was wonderful. I would highly recommend it to anyone.