In Love and War (1996)

REVIEW
Ernest Hemingway's real-life WWI exploits were the inspiration for his classic novel "A Farewell to Arms." Rather than opting to remake a third film version of the classic story, director Attenborough instead adapts the book "Hemingway in Love and War." The result is a languid romantic drama. O'Donnell plays the teenaged Hemingway, who lies about his age to join the Red Cross. Stationed in Italy and wounded on the front, he falls in love with his nurse Agnes von Kurowsky (Bullock). It's a bittersweet May-June romance which later would leave the author emotionally scarred. Bullock gives a flat portrayal, leaving one and all to wonder just why Hemingway would be haunted by this affair for the rest of his life. At least O'Donnell captures the enthusiasm of the writer, though not his drive. Attenborough's pacing is sluggish throughout, and for a film about a passionate affair, there's little passion.