Review of The Old Man and the Sea (1990) by Michael V — 08 Sep 2011

Simple, powerful, story to its fundamental human elements and adding elements of characterization which a more 'faithful' adaptation would have missed. I actually enjoyed the straying from the source material this time around.

I really like Gary Cole's character and how it reflected Hemingway's own life. How he interprets the old man for us, but subtly, and only as he learns from the example the old man sets. The story is shot and edited exactly as it should have been, and the feeling of Hemingway's story is much better developed than in the previous Oscar winning Spencer Tracey version.

But really only due to the changes that were made. An amazing work of humanity at it's worst trying to be whom he once was. Fighting his crisis of self-confidence, and accusations of uselessness. And Anthony Quinn captures it beautifully.

It's sad that he is no longer around. Watching him act is wonderful. You see a man who loved what he does. No matter what the role was he is a delight to watch.