Across the River and Into the Trees

As death approaches, how should we handle it? Is it something to be feared? Something to which we're stoically and unemotionally resigned? Willingly embraced as the logical outcome of our corporeal existence? Or is something to be met with grace and measured acceptance, as expressed in the dying words of Confederate General Thomas "Stonewall" Jackson: "Let us cross over the river and rest under the shade of the trees," a sentiment reflected in the title of this film, an adaptation of the 1950 Ernest Hemingway novel of the same name. Director Paula Ortiz's screen version of this work tells the story of Col. Richard Cantwell (Liev Schreiber), a US Army officer serving in Italy during the waning days of World War II. The Colonel is dying from heart disease but faces his circumstances like the committed, consummate soldier that he is. He resists all efforts at treatment and instead chooses to visit Venice before embarking on a day of duck hunting. But, before carrying out this plan, his attention is diverted by an array of developments, including introspective reflections of his troubled wartime past (having served in both of the Great Wars), the beauty of the city of canals and the company of a young contessa (Matilda De Angelis) who's trapped in a loveless arranged engagement governed more by family financial considerations than genuine romance. These events give the Colonel pause to think about his life, his regrets, his loves, his missed opportunities and his future (or what there may be left of it). The result is a quiet, poetic and often profoundly sad tale characterized by a series of deep conversations that give him (and all of us) much to ponder. Unfortunately, though, the presentation of this material is at times in need of greater finesse and clarity, remedies to counter its tendencies toward becoming overly talky and somewhat unfocused. That's regrettable given the nature of the circumstances at hand in this narrative, with their treatment frequently resulting in more diluted muddle than insightful, forthright articulation. Sadly, this shortcoming also detracts from the positively superb performances of the two leads, who portray their characters with a heartfelt earnestness, depth and sincerity, along with a carefully calculated vulnerability. To its credit, the film's gorgeous production design and absolutely stunning cinematography (especially of lesser-known Venice locales) provide a genuine feast for the eyes, truly remarkable in virtually every passing frame. It's a shame, however, that the remainder of the film doesn't measure up to these other fine qualities. Perhaps that's attributable in part to the source material, which, despite commercial success at the time of its publication, was not as critically acclaimed as the author's other works. It seems that there's a meaningful message lurking somewhere in this material (and in this film) that just never quite surfaces to the degree that it needs to, given the thoughtful subject matter that it was trying to express.

Everything is beautiful in this movie. Venezia, of course, but also the actors, in particular Matilda De Angelis. The director manages to catch that beauty in every scene. The changes in aspect ratio is a very intelligent way to make as feel the difference between the dreams that he is living and the reality that lives in his head. The movie becomes a series of photos that you would like to print and frame. The rhythm is slow, because you need to take your time to taste each scene. Just as the protagonist stars at the "frescos", you're supposed to stare at each frame. In addition, the script is very good and the performances of both main actors are impeccable and natural. It's a joy for all the senses.

The nominee for the Goya award for best new director in 2011, Paula Ortiz (¨The Bride¨), dares to adapt this eponymous novel by Hemingway, starring Liev Schreiber (¨Spotlight¨, ¨Ray Donovan¨) as an aging military martinet. Set in post-World War II Italian Venice, Richard Cantwell, a war-torn American colonel, confronts the news that he has a terminal illness with stoic indifference. Determined to spend a weekend in quiet solitude, he commandeers a military driver to facilitate a visit to his old haunts in Venice. The military veteran is accompanied on his journey by Sergeant Jackson (Josh Hutcherson) as driver and bodyguard, bound for the city of canals. Once there, Cantwell's plans begin to unravel, a chance meeting with a young aristocrat, the intelligent Renata Contarini (Matilda de Angelis): the daughter of an impoverished Venetian countess who has fallen into disgrace, begins to rekindle his hope of renewal. However, Renata is about to become the wife of a wealthy young called Antonio (Giulio Berruti). The time that Cantwell spends with the young aristocrat describes a relationship of mutual knowledge, while the colonel strives to find out what happened to his son who died at the hands of the Nazis, in a Trieste camp.

This brooding film, set in post-WWII Italy, captures a fleeting moment of immortality where time stands still. The sad story contains the great Hemingway themes of love, war, youth, and age. Liev Schreiber gives a terrific acting as tired American Army Colonel Richard Cantwell, haunted by the war, he is a bona fide hero who faces news of his illness with stoic disregard, and Matilda De Angelis is very attractive as the remarkable young woman begins to rekindle in him the hope of renewal. They're stunningly accompanied by a fine support cast, such as Josh Hutcherson, Laura Morante, Giulio Berruti, Danny Huston and Enzo Cilenti creating works of enormous dramatic value. An interpretive tableau that accompanies Schreiber's role who carries out a sober and credible characterization, in which the silences are as important as the words that are said. And being developed through a territory very similar in locations and emotions to that undertaken by Gustav von Aschenbach/Dick Bogarde, in 'Luchino Visconti's Death in Venice'.

It has a magnificent black-and-white photography with some color intervals. And shot in square format -in 4:3- by acclaimed cinematographer Javier Aguirresarobe, who has worked with prestigious directors such as Milos Forman, Pedro Almodovar and Woody Allen. The formal attractiveness thanks to cameraman Aguirresarobe is in many moments hypnotic, captivating, stimulating, providing an enormous pictorial talent, although in others it can become too saturated. For years, the adaptation of this novel by Ernest had been the dream of great filmmakers such as John Huston or Robert Altman and even Burt Lancaster desperately wanted to play the aging Colonel. The motion picture was brilliantly and professionally directed by Paula Ortiz (De tú ventana a la mía, La novia, Teresa). Paula Ortiz recreates competently a film full of environmental nostalgia, in a city of Venice where you can glimpse the decadence that devastates the starring's nights and days. Rating: 7/10. Better than average.

Extremely hard to discuss this without spoilers, but here we go.

I never read or even heard of this book, though I did enjoy a few other from Hemingway. So, I did not know the ending but I did guess it. It is a mess.

I've never been to Venice and I can think of a bunch of places in teh world I'd rather visit for the first and even the second time that have a more natural beauty. Still, Venice is a great location for a film, both day and night, especially the night shots lit beautifully by professionals.

On the other hand, this story is a mess, Some of the comments i read about the themes and the relationship make me think people were watching a different movie. The plot is a CHIMERA, truly disjointed,

This film is actually quite great. A beautiful Hemingway novel nicely translated here. It's a rich and beautiful film, but unlike most Hollywood films that attempt to aim for similar results. Thanks mostly to the original writer, this one is also very true to life, it's very down to earth. You can really feel the humanity and the characters in this film. The acting and direction are also mostly very strong. This is a story that has been in the works to be a film many times. Finally it's here, and it really is a rewarding result. This was entirely worth seeing on the big screen, as the Venice setting and the cinematography are stunning throughout much of the film.

8/10.