In Love and War (1996)

Written by Wuchak on September 6, 2020

When Ernest Hemmingway was 19

Based on the true story, a 19 year-old Ernest Hemmingway (Chris O'Donnell) falls for an older nurse (Sandra Bullock) after being wounded in Italy during WW1.

“In Love and War” (1996) is a solid historical drama/romance similar in spirit to “Legends of the Fall” (1994). As presented in the film, young Hemmingway has a likable, respectable side, but we also see evidence of his immense flaws, such as self-serving lying and exaggeration of his exploits.

At least one important scene is fictitious, and another one probably is as well, but I don’t want to give them away. Look up the facts after watching. Nonetheless, it’s clear that Hemingway’s relationship with Agnes von Kurowsky deeply affected him as he included elements of it in several of his stories, including A Farewell to Arms.

The film runs 1 hour, 53 minutes and was shot in Veneto, Italy, and Québec, Canada.

GRADE: B