Film Review “In Love and War”

In Love and War is a 1996 romance drama film based on the book, Hemingway in Love and War by Henry S. Villard and James Nagel, starring Mackenzie Astin, Chris O'Donnell, Sandra Bullock. This film takes place during World War I, and is based on the World War I experiences of the writer Ernest Hemingway.

And now let’s pass on to the plot. This film is largely based on Ernest Hemingway's real experience in World War I as a young soldier in Italy. He was wounded and sent to military hospital where he shared a room with Villard (who authored the book the movie is based on) and they were nursed by Agnes von Kurowsky. Hemingway and von Kurowsky fell strongly in love but somehow the relationship didn't work out.

Focusing on acting of this film, I’m deeply impressed by Sandra Bullock.  Having watched the film “Miss Congeniality”, for example, with her participation, I couldn’t even suppose that the role of a young nurse would be acted so sincerely, keenly and perfectly. Sandra personifies tenderness, feminity and perspicacity. And the contrast between these delicate features and the war is a winning decision of the director.

As for the directing, I can say that I don’t like it at all. The predominance of grey, black, foggy and dirty coloures make me feel sorrowful, oppressed and depressed. But at the same time, I should mention that if the film was bright and technicolor, there wouldn’t be the effect of the war, loses and tragedy.

In conclusion, I’d like to underline again that I’m really impressed by this film. Frankly speaking, I like the film more than the book. During all the film, the contrast between love and war is presented. And, as we know any war can’t bring happiness and pleasure. It’s the main reason for misfortunes, grief and tears. And this film is not an exception. In spite of the fact, that I don’t like war films, “In Love and War” is a masterpiece connected with the urgent problems of the whole world: war and love.