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The Whole Wide World

  • 19961996
  • PGPG
  • 1h 51m
IMDb RATING
7.1/10
3.7K
YOUR RATING
  • Cast & crew
  • User reviews
  • Trivia
  • IMDbPro
Renée Zellweger and Vincent D'Onofrio in The Whole Wide World (1996)
Theatrical Trailer from Sony Pictures Classics
Play trailer2:29
2 Videos
26 Photos
  • Biography
  • Drama
  • Romance

In 1933 Texas, a schoolteacher and aspiring writer meets a pulp fiction writer, and a relationship soon develops between the two, but it is doomed by his slavishly devotion to his ailing mot... Read allIn 1933 Texas, a schoolteacher and aspiring writer meets a pulp fiction writer, and a relationship soon develops between the two, but it is doomed by his slavishly devotion to his ailing mother and insistence on his freedom.In 1933 Texas, a schoolteacher and aspiring writer meets a pulp fiction writer, and a relationship soon develops between the two, but it is doomed by his slavishly devotion to his ailing mother and insistence on his freedom.

IMDb RATING
7.1/10
3.7K
YOUR RATING
  • Director
    • Dan Ireland
  • Writers
    • Novalyne Price Ellis(memoir One Who Walked Alone)
    • Michael Scott Myers(screenplay)
  • Stars
    • Vincent D'Onofrio
    • Renée Zellweger
    • Ann Wedgeworth
Top credits
  • Director
    • Dan Ireland
  • Writers
    • Novalyne Price Ellis(memoir One Who Walked Alone)
    • Michael Scott Myers(screenplay)
  • Stars
    • Vincent D'Onofrio
    • Renée Zellweger
    • Ann Wedgeworth
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 94User reviews
    • 27Critic reviews
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 6 wins & 7 nominations

    Videos2

    The Whole Wide World
    Trailer 2:29
    The Whole Wide World
    The Whole Wide World - Official Trailer
    Trailer 2:12
    The Whole Wide World - Official Trailer

    Photos26

    Renée Zellweger and Vincent D'Onofrio in The Whole Wide World (1996)
    Renée Zellweger and Vincent D'Onofrio in The Whole Wide World (1996)
    Renée Zellweger and Vincent D'Onofrio in The Whole Wide World (1996)
    Renée Zellweger and Vincent D'Onofrio in The Whole Wide World (1996)
    Novalyne Price Ellis in The Whole Wide World (1996)
    Photo of Robert E. Howard, the great 1930's pulp fiction writer.
    Renée Zellweger and Vincent D'Onofrio in The Whole Wide World (1996)
    Renée Zellweger and Vincent D'Onofrio in The Whole Wide World (1996)
    Renée Zellweger and Vincent D'Onofrio in The Whole Wide World (1996)
    Renée Zellweger and Vincent D'Onofrio in The Whole Wide World (1996)
    Renée Zellweger and Vincent D'Onofrio in The Whole Wide World (1996)
    Renée Zellweger in The Whole Wide World (1996)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Vincent D'Onofrio
    Vincent D'Onofrio
    • Robert E. Howardas Robert E. Howard
    Renée Zellweger
    Renée Zellweger
    • Novalyne Priceas Novalyne Price
    Ann Wedgeworth
    Ann Wedgeworth
    • Mrs. Howardas Mrs. Howard
    Harve Presnell
    Harve Presnell
    • Dr. Howardas Dr. Howard
    Benjamin Mouton
    Benjamin Mouton
    • Clyde Smithas Clyde Smith
    Helen Cates
    Helen Cates
    • Enidas Enid
    Leslie Buesing
    • Ethelas Ethel
    • (as Leslie Berger)
    Chris Shearer
    • Truettas Truett
    Sandy Walper
    • Mammyas Mammy
    Marion Eaton
    Marion Eaton
    • Woman on Busas Woman on Bus
    Dell Aldrich
    • Mrs. Hemphillas Mrs. Hemphill
    • (as Dell F. Aldrich)
    Libby Villari
    Libby Villari
    • Etna Reed Priceas Etna Reed Price
    Michael Corbett
    Michael Corbett
    • Booth Adamsas Booth Adams
    Antonia Bogdanovich
    Antonia Bogdanovich
    • Teacheras Teacher
    Elizabeth D'Onofrio
    Elizabeth D'Onofrio
    • Mrs. Smithas Mrs. Smith
    Stephen Marshall
    • Directoras Director
    Bridgett
    • Wolfas Wolf
    • Director
      • Dan Ireland
    • Writers
      • Novalyne Price Ellis(memoir One Who Walked Alone)
      • Michael Scott Myers(screenplay)
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
    • All cast & crew

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    Storyline

    Edit
    In Texas in the 1930s, young schoolteacher Novalyne Price (Renée Zellweger) meets a handsome, eccentric, interesting young man named Robert E. Howard (Vincent D'Onofrio). He's a successful writer of the pulp stories of "Conan the Barbarian", and she's an aspiring one. A friendship develops into a sort of courtship. Based on a memoir by Novalyne Price. —Eileen Berdon <eberdon@aol.com>
    • corn stalk
    • timeframe 1930s
    • courtship
    • friendship
    • writer
    • 98 more
    • Plot summary
    • Add synopsis
    • Taglines
      • A true story about the true love of the greatest pulp fiction writer of all time.
    • Genres
      • Biography
      • Drama
      • Romance
    • Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)
      • Rated PG for a substantial amount of mild language and mature thematic elements
    • Parents guide

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Renée Zellweger, upon receiving her Oscar for Cold Mountain (2003), thanked Vincent D'Onofrio for teaching her how to act, referring to her experiences in this movie.
    • Goofs
      Early in the film, Mrs. Howard tells Bob that his publisher, Mr. Wright, called from New York. Weird Tales, edited by Farnsworth Wright, was actually published in Chicago.
    • Quotes

      Novalyne Price: Why don't you tell me about your character, Conan?

      Robert E. 'Bob' Howard: Conan? Conan is the damnedest bastard there ever was! He's got a long black mane of hair, and crystal blue eyes. He's a fighter, born on the battlefield! To him, combat's a way of life. It's all he's ever known, all he ever WANTS to know! But he's no soldier who was taught to fight. To him, fighting's an instinct... it's a part of him, like his legs, his arms, his chest, his bull neck! And believe me, he don't take it from nobody; he'll fight man, beast, devil or god! And when those women feel those tree trunk-firm arms around their waist... they melt like butter on a hot skillet!

    • Crazy credits
      During her interview on "Inside the Actor's Studio", Renee Zellweger revealed that the end credit for Woofgang Zellweger was an inside reference to her dog, "Woof."
    • Connections
      Featured in At the Movies: Dante's Peak/SubUrbia/The Beautician and the Beast/Rosewood/The Whole Wide World (1997)
    • Soundtracks
      Depression Blues
      Composed by Peter Cork (as P. Cork)

    User reviews94

    Review
    Top review
    9/10
    A hidden gem
    I found this movie while searching through a reduced DVD bin. But once I saw Vincent D'onofrio in the lead I knew I would not be disappointed; and of course I wasn't.

    He is one of the most talented and underrated actors gracing the indie screen today. Although he has had several big budget roles (MIB-The Cell to name a couple) he is a character actor and does extremely well with character driven films.

    I'd never heard of Robert E. Howard until I watched the WWW and I couldn't think of a better person to introduce him to me than Mr. D'onofrio. The way he portrays his tortured existence and his need for companionship and acceptance was done with such brilliance and conviction, you can really appreciate how much Bob Howard lived inside his own head and yet longed to be part of the world around him.

    Renee Zellweger also turned in a notable performance as Novaline Price. She skillfully portrayed the love, hope and irritation she often had for Bob. Together D'onofrio and Zellwegger not only showed the pain of unrequited love, but the richness of friendship.

    I recommend this film to anyone looking for great acting, wonderful cinematography and a delightful score. Curl up, turn the lights down, and enjoy. I promise the characters will stay with you long after the final credits.
    helpful•38
    3
    • retst2
    • Aug 11, 2005

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • December 20, 1996 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Official site
      • Sony Pictures Classics
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • 鍾愛一世情
    • Filming locations
      • Paramount Theatre - 713 Congress, Austin, Texas, USA
    • Production companies
      • Cineville
      • The Kushner-Locke Company
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $1,300,000 (estimated)
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $375,757
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $3,316
      • Dec 22, 1996
    • Gross worldwide
      • $375,757
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 51 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Dolby
    • Aspect ratio
      • 2.35 : 1

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