Wrestling Ernest Hemingway (1993)

Two lonely, retired septuagenarians, an unkempt, hard-drinking Irish sea captain, and a fussy, well-mannered Cuban barber form an uneasy friendship.

Director:

Randa Haines

Writer:

Steve Conrad

Stars:

Robert Duvall, Richard Harris, Shirley MacLaine

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Robert Duvall	...	Walter
Richard Harris	...	Frank
Shirley MacLaine	...	Helen Cooney
Sandra Bullock	...	Elaine
Micole Mercurio	...	Bernice
Marty Belafsky	...	Ned Ryan
Harold Bergman	...	Sleeper
Piper Laurie	...	Georgia
Ed Amatrudo	...	Henry's Dad
Jag Davies	...	Henry
Rudolph X. Herrera	...	Umpire
Persephone Felder	...	Woman in Stands
Stephen G. Anthony	...	Leo Peetes
Greg Paul Meyers	...	Sid Showenstein
Aquilla Owens	...	First Girl in Park

Storyline

Frank, a retired Irish seaman, and Walter, a retired Cuban barber, are two lonely old men trapped in the emptiness of their own lives. When they meet in a park Frank is able to start a conversation after several attempts. They begin to spend time together and become friends. But because of their different characters they often quarrel with each other and finally seperate after Frank misbehaves to Walter's friend Elaine.

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Plot Keywords:

title directed by female | f rated | reference to ernest hemingway | 1990s | barber | 

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Taglines:

...and other lies your friends let you get away with.

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Genres:

Drama | Romance

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG-13 for language

Did You Know?

Trivia

Kirk Douglas wrote an article in "Reader's Digest", expressing his displeasure at being asked to audition for a role in the movie. He said that he was glad that he didn't get the part. He called the movie "boring".

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Goofs

At one of the Little League games, one of the players gets picked off of first base is picked off after taking too big a lead. Leads are prohibited in Little League.

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Quotes

[a very drunk Frank singing in the park]
Frank: I'm sweet Willy McGhee, I set sail for the sea / A man fit for sailin', my cock's fit for whalin', my balls they weigh seventy pounds apiece! / If you know any ladies, that want to make babies, send them to see Willy McGhee.

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Connections

Features The Thomas Crown Affair (1968)

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Soundtracks

I Love Paris
Music by Cole Porter
Lyrics by Cole Porter
Performed by Bobby Edwards (as Bob Edwards), Vince Marlo Balsamello, George DuVal,
Herb Nach and Eleonora L. Vescera (as Eleonora Vescera)

User Reviews

one of the best films never seen

The lack of attention this film received is an embarrassment. This is a fantastic film. Simple, elegant and true. Beautifully rendered from all points. In a just world, Duvall and Harris would have shared the Oscar. No other actors that year came anywhere near what these two accomplished. The fact that neither was even nominated is truly shameful.

If you were to ask me what it's about, I guess I'd say that it's about life, death, and rebirth, and all the human stuff that goes with that. Oh yeah, and joy. About how joy can seem like a distant, unreachable memory, when really it can be as close as the next park bench over--if only we have the courage.

If you want to experience a quiet little movie that will move you and reverberate in your memory long after, then seek this one out.

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

17 December 1993 (USA)

Also Known As:

Wrestling Ernest Hemingway

Filming Locations:

Hollywood Beach, Oxnard, California, USA

Box Office

Opening Weekend USA:

$14,871, 19 December 1993

Gross USA:

$278,720

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$278,720

Company Credits

Production Co:

Warner Bros.

Technical Specs

Runtime:

123 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1