Wrestling Ernest Hemingway (1993)

60% of critics liked it
(20 reviews)
61% of users liked it
(1,277 ratings)

Richard Harris and Robert Duvall star in this low-key drama concerning a hard-drinking former sea captain (Richard Harris) who befriends a shy retired barber (Robert Duvall). Though their polar-opposite personalities find the relationship slow going at first, roguish Frank (Harris) and gentle Walter… More Richard Harris and Robert Duvall star in this low-key drama concerning a hard-drinking former sea captain (Richard Harris) who befriends a shy retired barber (Robert Duvall). Though their polar-opposite personalities find the relationship slow going at first, roguish Frank (Harris) and gentle Walter (Duvall) soon develop a close friendship as they pass the days with conversation. As death looms near and their pasts seem to evaporate into the air with the passing of each day, the lonely souls find comfort in each other's company until their fragile friendship is shattered. When Frank insults a waitress (Sandra Bullock) with whom Walter harbors a protective friendship, Walter makes the decision to cut his ties with loutish Frank. Forced to reevaluate their friendship, the two lonely souls attempt to find meaning in their lives as their chances for connecting with the outside world grows ever more dim. ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi

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Rating, Runtime: PG-13, 2 hr. 3 min.
Directed By: Randa Haines, Richard W. Haines
Written By: Steve Conrad
Genres: Drama

In Theaters: Jun 1, 1994 Wide
On DVD: Jul 27, 1994
Studio: Warner Home Video

Critic Reviews

Richard Schickel, TIME Magazine
Wrestling Ernest Hemingway aspires to be serious about its subject. Yet in a curious way this sobriety works against it. Frank and Walt turn into schematically contrasting case studies, and the movie's sympathy for them eventually becomes patronizing.
Emanuel Levy, Variety
Randa Haines' sappy, rather dull melodrama about the friendship between two eccentric old men is mostly a showcase for its stars, Robert Duvall and Richard Harris.
Caryn James, New York Times
Instead of simply assuming that the old have interesting lives, the film never stops congratulating itself for being daring enough to focus on them.
Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times
The movie is essentially about the close observation of behavior. Like some of Hemingway's stories, the real action is all implied. The characters trade small talk, and we sense that larger issues are lurking beneath their cheerfulness.
Rita Kempley, Washington Post
An endearing buddy movie for the senior crowd.
Desson Thomson, Washington Post
This movie is so loaded down with calendar-poster sentiments, you may find yourself wanting to wrestle the filmmakers.
, TV Guide's Movie Guide
Offers little in the way of narrative drive or plot conflict, and what does happen is far from surprising. MacLaine and Piper Laurie are more or less wasted in supporting roles, and pretty Sandra Bullock is given almost nothing to do.
Urban Cinefile Critics, Urban Cinefile
This is a film of two superlative performances from Richard Harris and Robert Duvall, who play an odd couple drawn together by their common loneliness as they become friends in the winter of their lives
, Time Out
There aren't really any surprises, but it's a delight to see a movie which idles away without anything more pressing on its mind than people.
Chuck O'Leary, Fantastica Daily
A deeply moving and wonderfully acted film about loneliness and friendship. This is one to treasure.
, Film4
A slow-paced and sentimental film, but still a pleasure to watch as the two brilliant and dignified leads play off each other so well.
Martin Scribbs, Low IQ Canadian
Funny, touching, understated. Melancholy, bittersweet, lovely.
Clint Morris, Moviehole
Duvall and Harris are as touching, as they are mezmerising.
Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat, Spirituality and Practice
Portrays the salutary ways in which two very dissimiliar elders enrich each other's lives.