Charity's Place.com

THE WHOLE WIDE WORLD

REVIEWED BY CHARITY BISHOP

Our rating: 3 out of 5

Because of: foul language, mild sensuality, thematic elements

Rated:

One of the greatest pulp writers of his time was Robert E. Howard. Penning stories of danger, romance, and scandal for local magazine serials, he was the up and coming name in the publishing world. This film is based on his life, and the works of the woman who knew him better than most.

On a dusty summer afternoon, aspiring writer Novalyne Price (Renée Zellweger) makes the acquaintance of one of her boyfriend's "writing" friends. Robert Howard (Vincent D'Onofrio) is an imaginative serial writer who pens just what his audience wants to read -- scandalous stories of murder, intrigue, kidnappings, and busty damsels in distress. He passes her a handful of comments about learning to be successful in writing, goes home, and she doesn't hear from him again until the following autumn when she has taken up the position of a teacher at a school not too far from where he lives with his invalid mother. Numerous attempts to contact him are only thwarted by the people of the house, but she finally manages to get his attention through an unexpected visit.

Immediately, a connection is made between them, one that launches into a peculiar romance. So fascinated with his characters that he lives somewhat in their world, Robert is preoccupied and often distant. He is not interested in marriage or long-term plans. Novalyne is looking for something more permanent, but cannot help being fascinated with him. In the meantime, her attempts at writing short stories are mocked by his egotistical remarks. Then comes the trials and tribulations of broken friendships, kindred spirits, and family tragedies. It makes for a fascinating if quiet type of film that is more about its characters than any intensely-driven plot. It's easy to become fond of them, and root for a happy ending.

I am accustomed to D'Onofrio's work through his television series Criminal Intent, and admit that my primary reason for getting this film was out of curiosity. His performance is outstanding. There are times when there's such fire in his eyes that you're nearly afraid of him, and others when you are so fascinated with his eccentricities that you simply want the story to pause and let you follow him through the complex world of his imagination. The other actors are quite good as well, but viewers should be warned that Howard's life was not without its mishaps or tragedies, and be prepared for a good cry. There was an unfortunate amount of language to be concerned with as well. Maybe a dozen abuses of Jesus' name and GD, along with a lot of common profanities. Surprisingly, I was so invested in the film that I didn't consciously take note of them like I would in other films.

There's no sexual content or implications of anything inappropriate between Robert and Novalyne, but a decent amount of the plot is devoted to making certain the viewer knows that some of Howard's works are "trashy." They argue about "naked, busty women" in books, and Novalyne is properly horrified when Robert gives her a story book full of suggestive illustrations. He goes out of his way when angry to embarrass her in front of a crowd of people at a restaurant with "sex" comments. In conclusion it's a movie that takes a lot out of its reader, particularly when you learn that it's based on a true story. I had no idea and thus wasn't prepared for the nuances of the plot. It made it all the more exciting not to know what would happen next.