Across the River and Into the Trees

Extremely hard to discuss this without spoilers, but here we go.

I never read or even heard of this book, though I did enjoy a few other from Hemingway. So, I did not know the ending but I did guess it. It is a mess.

I've never been to Venice and I can think of a bunch of places in teh world I'd rather visit for the first and even the second time that have a more natural beauty. Still, Venice is a great location for a film, both day and night, especially the night shots lit beautifully by professionals.

On the other hand, this story is a mess, Some of the comments i read about the themes and the relationship make me think people were watching a different movie. The plot is a CHIMERA, truly disjointed,

There are several stars of this film. While Hemmingway's source novel was pretty universally panned, the screenplay, cinematography, and fine acting and casting in this film set it apart as a long overdue adaptation of one of Hemingway's lesser known works. First the acting by Mr. Schreiber - it is outstanding, showing emotional trauma damage, an appreciation of the natural and artistic world, and the vulnerability of an old warrior dealing with his illness and mortality. The cinematography is a delight - flirting with color as well as black and white and a variety of aspect ratios, it adds a thoughtful overlay to the story. Love interest Renata is played with aplomb by a beautiful, young Italian actress named Matilda de Angelis. To capture the emptiness of postwar Venice, the COVID restrictions played a major part - providing empty waterways and a deserted St Marco Square for the action of the story to take place in. It was a beautifully produced film and well worth seeing for any fan of Hemingway's work or of Mr. Schreiber's fine acting abilities, which have never been showcased better.

Everything is beautiful in this movie. Venezia, of course, but also the actors, in particular Matilda De Angelis. The director manages to catch that beauty in every scene. The changes in aspect ratio is a very intelligent way to make as feel the difference between the dreams that he is living and the reality that lives in his head. The movie becomes a series of photos that you would like to print and frame. The rhythm is slow, because you need to take your time to taste each scene. Just as the protagonist stars at the "frescos", you're supposed to stare at each frame. In addition, the script is very good and the performances of both main actors are impeccable and natural. It's a joy for all the senses.

Soon after the Second World War, gen-u-wine American hero Colonel Liev Schreiber is in Venice, looking to go duck-hunting. He finds more than ducks, though, when he encounters Matilda de Angelis, impoverished Venetian nobility who is slated to marry rich Venetian nobleman Massimo Popolizio.

It's based on Hemingway's last novel published while he was alive, and was poorly received by the critics and the public. I can see why. Although the performances are fine, with the players saying their lines as if they mean them, the movie relies more on the location shooting in Venice than the sense of regret for lost youth, for promises unkept, for futures prefigured and inevitable than for what actually goes on. Hemingway's prose is almost impossible to capture in images, and while signorina de Angelis plays a straightforward Hemingway heroine, Schreiber brings too much to his role. Still, Venice is lovely, and so is the young woman.

This film is actually quite great. A beautiful Hemingway novel nicely translated here. It's a rich and beautiful film, but unlike most Hollywood films that attempt to aim for similar results. Thanks mostly to the original writer, this one is also very true to life, it's very down to earth. You can really feel the humanity and the characters in this film. The acting and direction are also mostly very strong. This is a story that has been in the works to be a film many times. Finally it's here, and it really is a rewarding result. This was entirely worth seeing on the big screen, as the Venice setting and the cinematography are stunning throughout much of the film.

8/10.