Drama, melodrama. The film adaptation of the short story of the same name by the famous American writer Ernest Hemingway. And since I have not read the original source (but I know some details), therefore I will evaluate the film adaptation as a work of my own. I want to say right away that I have great respect for Ernest Hemingway as a journalist and writer, and also as a man who was firm in his convictions, who was not afraid to challenge the system and remind it of eternal human values: truth, honesty, loyalty, friendship, and so on. And although I read only one book from Ernest, "The Holiday that is always with me" (it turned out to be an average one), but it was enough to arouse interest in his other works, which I will definitely get to, but later. In the meantime, let's focus on the film adaptation of one of his famous stories (largely autobiographical), and here's my brief opinion for you - A boring melodrama with great actors. There were both advantages and disadvantages in the picture, which are definitely worth mentioning. And this should end such an important introduction, and get to the point.
So, the advantages: 1. Scenario - in a hot and sultry Africa, the famous writer Harry Street lies and slowly dies, and on the threshold of death he remembers his life and tries to figure himself out. Has he lived right all these years? Did he make the right choice in his youth? Did he fall in love with that woman? And many more questions arise in his head while the life of this man flashes before us, and now his wife (in the story, his mistress) Ellen is caring for him - devoted to him with all her heart, and both heroes are waiting for the plane that will definitely save Harry's life. During the timing, we get to know Harry from all sides, and then each viewer will decide for himself whether to wish the hero salvation, or whether he deserved a painful death for all the sins that he had done before. Yes, the scriptwriter added a lot of cracks and greatly expanded the original story of Ernest, and it turned out interesting. Harry's love life is full of bright colors and dramatic moments, because he had a lot of beauties, but only one was remembered by him forever (and that's what you sympathize with most when watching). The ending here is happy (unlike the story) - and that's good. Personally, I didn't mind. The script lacks stars from the sky, but tells a dramatic story mixed with melodrama - and it all looks good (although it could have been better).
2. Acting is an old Hollywood acting school. Famous names: Gregory Peck, Ava Gardner, Susan Hayward. They all play great (however, like the rest of the actors). There is no affectation, there is no stinginess. It is clear that these are living people with their own characters and principles. There is no silly antics (as it is now accepted), there is almost no theatricality. Such work can only be praised and praised again. And she is also a good example for actors all over the world. Take note of this!
So, disadvantages: 1. Harry's behavior with Cynthia - Harry behaves like an egoist who does not care about Cynthia, but for his sake she went even to the most terrible act (or it was an accident, the picture does not specify here), I am sure that most viewers will agree with me here, because there is a moral choice, and Harry did a very bad thing here, which is why this hero is no longer so sympathetic to us. And in general, love for Cynthia will be an obsession for Harry, which he will never be able to forget. I wanted to hug Cynthia and paint Harry for his selfishness.
2. Boredom - Despite all the advantages of the picture, it is boring. No, not as boring as "The Sound of Music" or "Dr. Dolittle", but still not particularly catchy. Of course, I don't want to turn it off, but the desire to watch is not very great, because already in the first quarter everything becomes clear, there is no humor in the picture, subtle psychology or deep philosophy, too, interesting visual finds, too. Only the sights and sounds of Africa save the situation, but they are also for an amateur. The final is predictable almost from the very beginning.
A little bit about the main characters: 1. Harry Street performed by Gregory Peck is a writer with varying degrees of success, whose life we observe the whole picture, in which there were both victories and defeats, and only in the final we have to decide whether Harry is worthy of such a fate. I remember Gregory Peck from the magnificent melodrama "Roman Holidays" and the serious military drama "Glory Days" - and in both pictures he was just great, and here he played a controversial character no worse. Bravo Gregory! Bravo!
2. Cynthia Green performed by Ava Gardner is Harry's first love, which he will never be able to forget. A beautiful woman who herself sincerely loved him, but his selfishness became the crack that destroyed their relationship. And what a love there was between them! It just needs to be seen. The beautiful Ava here outshines the other two women Harry was with. I remember her perfectly from the picture "55 days in Beijing", in which she played a Russian countess, and here her heroine was more down-to-earth, but no less beautiful, bright and memorable. Bravo!
3. Ellen, played by Susan Hayward, is Harry's current wife, who loves him with all her heart, and who cares for him at this difficult moment. The hero has taught her a lot, and now she intends to save him, because she is stubborn, strong, and capable of much. Susan was good in this role. Bravo!
Ernest's story is largely autobiographical, and there is something to think about, and this moment is not missed in the film adaptation, but boredom is a rather stubborn thing, although the picture deserves a good assessment.
My rating is 7 out of 10. About the recommendation - see for yourself!
So, the advantages: 1. Scenario - in a hot and sultry Africa, the famous writer Harry Street lies and slowly dies, and on the threshold of death he remembers his life and tries to figure himself out. Has he lived right all these years? Did he make the right choice in his youth? Did he fall in love with that woman? And many more questions arise in his head while the life of this man flashes before us, and now his wife (in the story, his mistress) Ellen is caring for him - devoted to him with all her heart, and both heroes are waiting for the plane that will definitely save Harry's life. During the timing, we get to know Harry from all sides, and then each viewer will decide for himself whether to wish the hero salvation, or whether he deserved a painful death for all the sins that he had done before. Yes, the scriptwriter added a lot of cracks and greatly expanded the original story of Ernest, and it turned out interesting. Harry's love life is full of bright colors and dramatic moments, because he had a lot of beauties, but only one was remembered by him forever (and that's what you sympathize with most when watching). The ending here is happy (unlike the story) - and that's good. Personally, I didn't mind. The script lacks stars from the sky, but tells a dramatic story mixed with melodrama - and it all looks good (although it could have been better).
2. Acting is an old Hollywood acting school. Famous names: Gregory Peck, Ava Gardner, Susan Hayward. They all play great (however, like the rest of the actors). There is no affectation, there is no stinginess. It is clear that these are living people with their own characters and principles. There is no silly antics (as it is now accepted), there is almost no theatricality. Such work can only be praised and praised again. And she is also a good example for actors all over the world. Take note of this!
So, disadvantages: 1. Harry's behavior with Cynthia - Harry behaves like an egoist who does not care about Cynthia, but for his sake she went even to the most terrible act (or it was an accident, the picture does not specify here), I am sure that most viewers will agree with me here, because there is a moral choice, and Harry did a very bad thing here, which is why this hero is no longer so sympathetic to us. And in general, love for Cynthia will be an obsession for Harry, which he will never be able to forget. I wanted to hug Cynthia and paint Harry for his selfishness.
2. Boredom - Despite all the advantages of the picture, it is boring. No, not as boring as "The Sound of Music" or "Dr. Dolittle", but still not particularly catchy. Of course, I don't want to turn it off, but the desire to watch is not very great, because already in the first quarter everything becomes clear, there is no humor in the picture, subtle psychology or deep philosophy, too, interesting visual finds, too. Only the sights and sounds of Africa save the situation, but they are also for an amateur. The final is predictable almost from the very beginning.
A little bit about the main characters: 1. Harry Street performed by Gregory Peck is a writer with varying degrees of success, whose life we observe the whole picture, in which there were both victories and defeats, and only in the final we have to decide whether Harry is worthy of such a fate. I remember Gregory Peck from the magnificent melodrama "Roman Holidays" and the serious military drama "Glory Days" - and in both pictures he was just great, and here he played a controversial character no worse. Bravo Gregory! Bravo!
2. Cynthia Green performed by Ava Gardner is Harry's first love, which he will never be able to forget. A beautiful woman who herself sincerely loved him, but his selfishness became the crack that destroyed their relationship. And what a love there was between them! It just needs to be seen. The beautiful Ava here outshines the other two women Harry was with. I remember her perfectly from the picture "55 days in Beijing", in which she played a Russian countess, and here her heroine was more down-to-earth, but no less beautiful, bright and memorable. Bravo!
3. Ellen, played by Susan Hayward, is Harry's current wife, who loves him with all her heart, and who cares for him at this difficult moment. The hero has taught her a lot, and now she intends to save him, because she is stubborn, strong, and capable of much. Susan was good in this role. Bravo!
Ernest's story is largely autobiographical, and there is something to think about, and this moment is not missed in the film adaptation, but boredom is a rather stubborn thing, although the picture deserves a good assessment.
My rating is 7 out of 10. About the recommendation - see for yourself!