The Whole Wide World . Austin Chronicle . 01-25-99

The Whole Wide World

DIRECTED BY: Dan Ireland

REVIEWED: 01-25-99

A dark, touching film, The Whole Wide World introduces us to the father of Conan the Barbarian. Not his literal dad, but rather his literary parent, author Robert E. Howard. It was from his folks' home in Cross Plains, Texas, that Howard wrote a slew of Conan stories for pulps and created other medieval characters (Kull, Red Sonja). The film is based on Novalyne Price's autobiography and chronicles her relationship with the brilliant and often disturbed Howard. Starring as Price is Renee Zellweger, who puts on her best twang and pout to portray this would-be writer who befriends the ultimate harbinger of barbarians. As Howard, Vincent D'Onofrio's brutish expressions, sharp tongue, and childish mannerisms bring to life a character that is as sympathetic as he is frustrating. His chauvinistic, highly sexualized attitude at times offends Price yet touches a blushing nerve within her. Their relationship is awkward yet sincere, but Howard is torn between his loner ways, professing his love for Price, and his near-Oedipal obsession with his mother. The film beautifully captures 1930s Texas with its choice sets and accurate wardrobe. Best of all, it creates two characters so inviting, it is hard to fathom them as actual people. Underneath the relationships, however, exists a muted madness that personifies the writer and his creations. Through it all, this is a tight tale that covers all the bases and is not overshadowed by any of the bad films featuring Howard's sword-wielding characters.

--Mike Emery

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The Whole Wide World

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The Whole Wide World

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