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The
Whole Wide World
A movie review by John Hatchett
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On the surface you would think that science fiction/fantasy fans would
have it good.
There has been an exponential growth in not only the acceptance of
this genre by the mainstream, but also an exponential growth of sci-fi/fantasy
movies. There has even been a film release of the long awaited "Lord
of the Rings" - J.R.R. Tolkien's seminal work, which in many ways
triggered the current explosion of both literature and film in the
field.
So my complaint might sound like hard times in a land of plenty. But
if you look at the vast amount of newly released material, most of
it is not very good. The entertainment industry, in its rush to capitalize
on this sudden public interest, has concentrated on sizzle rather
than steak. We are confronted with movies that concentrate on formula
and fireworks.
Some films in the genre seem to be nothing more than displays of special
effects technology. Other films are nothing more than star vehicles
trying to milk two cash cows - the big name star (Arnold has done
as much as anyone to destroy sci/fi cinema) featured in the film and
growing interest in sci-fi/fantasy.
What to do?
It isn't enough for diehard fans of this genre to delight in the being
released from the cultural ghetto we used to be in. We need to be
critical of the brave new world (don't heckle, it's Huxley) we find
ourselves in.
We need demand that GOOD stories be told and we need to be evangelists
for the work that rises above the typical mass market sci-fi/fantasy
film.
One of the big advantages of videotape (and now DVD) is the mass distribution
of films that do not make it on the multiplex movie market.
I'd like to recommend two of them.
"The Thirteen Floor" is the VR (virtual reality) movie to see.
There are no BIG name stars (unless you count Vincent D'Onofrio) and
the story drives the production not the special effects. I don't really
want to detail any of the story because it will give away much of
the twists and turns of an excellent film. Rent it and I guarantee
that you will not have a wasted evening.
Another "sleeper", if you will, is the biography of Robert E. Howard,
the creator of "Conan". The film is entitled "The Whole Wide World"
and stars the aforementioned Vincent D'Onofrio.
I'd like to talk a little about Mr. D'Onofrio. He is America's Sir
Alec Guiness. He disappears into a role to the point at which you
remember the character he portrays rather than his name. Even if his
name isn't familiar to you, I can assure you that you have
seen him act, I believe that he is currently on one of the "Law and
Order" television shows.
The key is, unlike Arnold, Mr. D'Onofrio is an actor.
The life of Robert E. Howard would seem to be markedly less exciting
than the characters he created for the pulp fiction market in the
1930's. Howard spent most of his life in the town of Cross Plains,
Texas. He had (at most) a high school education and worked at at the
local soda fountain. Yet, Robert E. Howard created some of the more
memorable characters in fantasy literature. The range and scope of
his imagination (considering his environment) is staggering.
He was, though, as he put it, "a teller of yarns." The Whole Wide
World captures Howard's life and environs vividly.
D'Onofrio IS Robert E. Howard and he recreates the character
and conflicts that dominated Howard's brief life. I really feel that
D'Onofrio captures more of the essence of Conan through his portrayal
of Robert E. Howard than Arnold's wooden characterization of the Cimmerian.
(To be fair, to compare Arnold's performance to wood is a disservice
to trees everywhere. After all, trees do move in the wind.)
If you are a fan of Conan, please run to the nearest video store and
rent "The Whole Wide World". It has what most sci-fi/fantasy
films lack - a story to tell.
It seems only fitting that a "teller of yarns" would get a yarn told
about him. |
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