Review of Hemingway & Gellhorn (2012) by Carlos Z — 25 May 2013

As the title suggests, this telemovie tells the tale of literary couple Ernest Hemingway and Martha Gellhorn, largely from the perspective of the latter - she narrates. The film starts with the Spanish Civil War, where the pair help produce a documentary decrying the acts of Franco; and moves on to cover other conflicts culminating in World War II.

Nicole Kidman gives one of her most exceptional performances in recent years as Gellhorn, the strong-headed, long-suffering war correspondent who is never quite satisfied as a mere footnote to the life of the more famous Hemingway, played slightly less effectively by Clive Owen.

That said, the performances in general here are outstanding, as is the production value. The film moves seamlessly from colour to shades of sepia and black and white for certain scenes, and then back to colour again without ever distracting from the story.

There is one particularly ridiculous scene in which Kidman and Owen surrender to lust while their hotel is being bombed - they end up naked, showered in flecks of plaster and paint. Despite this, and almost overstaying its welcome at two-and-a-half hours, the performances and slick look make this telemovie a truly memorable one.