Papa Hemingway in Cuba (2015) User Reviews

'Papa: Hemingway in Cuba' Shows Dark Days as a Genius in Crisis

[cinemacy · 7/10 · 28 April 2016]

In literature, there is a term called the "Hemingway Hero," which is essentially a set of noble traits and honorable qualities that the reader should aspire to, much like any character in an Ernest Hemingway novel. Every writer attempting to create this attribute will find that the qualities that make up a hero today compared to that of Hemingway's day are consistent and timeless. This idea of what makes a man a man, and living a life of "honor, courage and endurance in a world that is sometimes chaotic, often stressful, and always painful" will forever ring true to those in search of a deeper meaning of life. The Bob Yari-directed film Papa: Hemingway in Cuba, tells the true story of one man's relationship with the legendary writer Ernest Hemingway, and essentially starting his journey to find his own, literal, "Hemingway Hero".

"What do you say to the man who changed your life, and never even knew you?" Ed Myers (Giovanni Ribisi), a journalist at the Miami Herald in the 1950s, asks this question while struggling to find the words for a letter he plans to send to his idol, Ernest Hemingway (Adrian Sparks). Growing up an orphan during the depression, Myers' voice-over explanation reveals that he had always wanted to be a writer and an adventurer. His lack of family ties created a longing for someone to look up to, someone to be a father figure. He writes all of this and more in his letter, spilling his soul onto the page. Then, one day, Myers gets a life-changing phone call from the man himself, telling him how much he appreciated the letter and then asking him to travel to Cuba to spend time with him.

While the first third of the film tends to drag a bit slowly, it really comes alive when we follow Myers to Cuba and get to meet Hemingway. The atmosphere of the city and live music are electrifying, a juxtaposition to the man Hemingway had become by that point in his life. Myers quickly develops a closeness to Hemingway and his wife Mary (Joely Richardson), considering them the family he never had. However, their blissful life erupts into chaos as they immediately find themselves in the middle of the Cuban revolution.

The fact that this is a true story alone is worth watching, but probably the biggest selling point is that this is the first Hollywood film to be shot in Cuba in over 50 years. The authenticity of being able to shoot in the original locations including the bar El Floridito and Hemingway's actually home in Finca Vigia, which is now preserved as a national museum, is a fascinating thing to see. Possibly the coolest memento of all, though, is that the typewriter used in the film is Hemingway's original one.

Personally, a big fan of Hemingway myself, (I did name my dog Ernest after all), seeing this time period in his life is difficult as we all know the outcome of his losing battle with depression. It is a hard pill to swallow watching him stick a revolver in his mouth and beat his wife. For as beautiful the worlds he created in his books, the man we see on screen is a tortured artist that is struggling to see the purpose of his own life. Adrian Sparks captures both Hemingway's brilliance and demons in his performance, truly giving justice and respect to the late author.

As much as you become absorbed in Sparks' performance, there are moments that can take you out of the film. At times Ribisi comes off somewhat flat, for example, getting that initial call from his idol, Hemingway himself, he barely seems to muster up any excitement. Instead, it feels as if that scene may have been rehearsed one too many times and, by that take, he was just going through the motions. Another head scratching moment is how quickly the film jumps into some scenes without much setup. One moment, Myers is on the beach in Cuba, the next he's on the beach in Florida telling his girlfriend (Minka Kelly) about his trip to Cuba. It feels rushed, but at this point, we've become invested in these characters that we're along for the ride so we don't really care where we're going or how we get there.

Papa: Hemingway in Cuba is a stunning portrait of one of the greatest authors and storytellers of the 20th century. Bob Yari takes the biopic and breathes life into the genre just by the sheer amount of authentic details (like the shooting locations alone), plus this inspiring and true story of one man's search for the meaning of life is something we can all relate to. Bonus- Keep an eye out for a quick cameo from Ernest's granddaughter Mariel Hemingway.

For more, visit www.cinemacy.com

Trouble in paradise: Hemingway in Cuba in the late 50s

[paul-allaer · 6/10 · 23 May 2016]

"Papa: Hemingway in Cuba" (2016 release; 109 min.) brings the story of a young journalist's friendship with and mentorship by Ernest Hemingway in Cuba in the late 50s. As the movie opens, we are in "Seattle 1935", where the then 4 year old boy is abandoned by his father in the middle of a department store. We then flash forward to "Miami Globe 1957", where we get to know the journalist Ed Myers. He finally sends a letter to Hemingway to express how much Hemingway's writings inspired Myers in his darkest hours. Much to Myers' surprise, some time later Hemingway calls and invites him to visit him in Cuba, and so off to Cuba goes Myers. At this point we're not even 15 minutes into the movie, but to tell you more would spoil your viewing experience, you'll just have to see for yourself how it all plays out.

Couple of comments: first, all of the marketing materials regarding this movie list this as "Papa: Hemingway in Cuba", but in the movie itself, it's simply announced as "Papa: A True Story" ("Papa" is of course Hemingway's nickname). Second, this movie is written by Denne Bart Petitclerc, the actual journalist to whom this happened (I figure he changed the name to Ed Myers as, let's face it, his real name is more than a mouthful). Third, this is directed (in his directing debut) by long-time producer Bob Yari. Yari brings the story aptly but without any real surprises or revelations, it's as if he is directing "by the numbers". As you may surmise, given that the story is set in the late 50s, the movie is a mix of observing Hemingway the person, and also seeing how the revolution is playing out in the background. The cast is just okay, with the previously unknown (to me anyway) Adrian Sparks in the Hemingway role. Keep your eyes open for a quick cameo by Mariel Hemingway, the real life granddaughter and erstwhile 'buzz' actress herself. Minka Kelly plays a nice secondary role (as Myers' girlfriend). But you know who is the real star of this movie? That would be the location where much of this was filmed, namely the sprawling Hemingway estate (called Finca Vigía) in Cuba, where Hemingway lived for many years, and which nowadays is the Hemingway national museum in Cuba. Looks to be an amazing place, at least when seeing it on the big screen. Last but not least, there is a nice orchestral score, composed by Mark Isham. Bottom line: this movie has its pros and cons, and its good moments and not-o-good moments. Still, I found myself enjoying this more or less, hence a mixed rating of 3 stars.

"Papa" opened recently at my local art-house theater here in Cincinnati. The Sunday early evening screening where I saw this at this past weekend was attended okay (better than I expected, frankly), and fairly heavy on the seniors side. If you like a historical drama involving some big personalities, "Papa" is worth checking out, be it in the theater, on VOD, or eventually on DVD/Blu-ray.

It's about family

[drjgardner · 7/10 · 29 April 2016]

Papa is lovingly photographed in Cuba where the story takes place in 1959, with an aging and depressed Ernest Hemingway, a Cuban revolution, and a young reporter who develops a relationship with Hemingway. Adrian Sparks captures Ernest Hemingway to such an extent that we believe we are watching home movies of the real Hemingway. It's helped by being filmed in Hemingway's Cuban home, which is now a national museum. Joely Richardson is similarly marvelous in the role of Hemingway's wife.

The film has a quiet lyrical tone even while there are turbulent under currents involving Batista, J. Edgar Hoover, the Mafia, and Fidel Castro's rebels. But the heart of the story is the relationship between the reporter (Giovanni Ribisi) and the Hemingways, as the orphaned reporter becomes part of their "family" and learns for himself what being part of a family truly means.

The film will have limited appeal and is best viewed by people interested in Hemingway, or the Cuban revolution, or intense family dramas. AS an added bonus, there are lots of 1950s cars on display, which is a real treat for the eyes.

I just like hanging with Papa.

[JohnDeSando · 29 April 2016]

"My aim is to put down on paper what I see and what I feel in the best and simplest way." Ernest Hemingway

Apropos of Hemingway's minimalism, director Bob Yari's Papa Hemingway in Cuba features his life only at the beginning of the Cuban revolution in 1959 and the end of his powers as a writer and a lover. Although it is always difficult to imagine such a gifted man giving up on life, this film is explicit about his self perceptions and his delusions.

As played by look alike Adrian Sparks, Hemingway dismisses most other adults but is solicitous of a young writer/reporter, Ben Myers (Giovanni Ribisi), who has written to Hemingway and is subsequently invited to visit the manse in Cuba. Ben is really this screenwriter Denne Bart Peticlerc, who had the original experience with Hemingway.

While learning to fish from the master, Ben also learns of the trouble in paradise, beginning with family and moving from there to the feds. Although such discord often begets great writing, for neither writer does it provide much inspiration.

Not that Hemingway had it easy, for the FBI, the IRS, and seemingly the mob want a piece of the enormous celebrity known as Papa. Ben has his difficulties with his own absence from his love, Debbie (Minka Kelly), and inevitably incurs the wrath of the man himself for mistakenly thinking Ben is selling him out. By then, the genius was suspecting just about everyone.

As in recent bios of Chet Baker and Hank Williams, the abuses of these artists become clichéd, one for alcohol, another for drugs, another for womanizing, and the list goes on. Although Hemingway's story here walks the same path, few can match the splendor of his oeuvre.

I just enjoy being in his presence, and while no new territory, I am happy to be reminded that humans can achieve such a sublime state and yet be as flawed as I.

That's entertainment!

I like it more than most reviewers

[pootypootwell · 6/10 · 1 February 2017]

I can't say this is a great movie, but I don't know why the critics were so hard on it - currently 8% on by Metacritic professional critics. Hemingway had a long and adventuresome life, and this movie captures the last year he spent at his Cuban estate, Finca Vigia. The beautiful, sprawling, gated estate had been a source of comfort for Hem through two divorces, multiple wars, and the withering of his talent. By 1959, Hem's cumulative emotional distress is mirrored in Cuba's political unrest, and the film captures that quite perfectly.

Giovanni Ribisi as Hemingway's new, young writer friend is more toned down that he is in other amped-up roles, and Adrian Sparks effectively becomes Hemingway; it's hard to believe it isn't him in many scenes. Joely Richardson was a terrific foil, moving through the turbulence of their marriage minute by minute, showing the deep love she had for him but also the anger she had at his drunken antics.

The film had some very nice touches, like the poly-dactyl cat in a very brief scene; Hemingway loved poly-dactyls in his later years.

I felt the movie was fairly well-paced and beautifully filmed. The drama around -- no spoilers -- some government issues was a little out of left field tone-wise, but otherwise I found it a rather lovely little picture, an admirable tribute to a great writer and a flawed man with a lasting legacy.

The Lion In Winter Meets Mary Sue

[Dan1863Sickles · 7/10 · 14 August 2017]

After the execrable HBO fiasco HEMINGWAY AND GELHORN, I was very wary of Hemingway movies. But this modestly charming film about a young reporter who looks up to the aging Hemingway as a father figure in his final days is surprisingly touching and authentic.

Adrian Sparks is amazing as the aging lion Hemingway. What he puts across is not so much the publicity-hungry tough guy the world remembers, but the shy, reclusive author tortured by sadness and regret and the sense of loss. This is a Hemingway who has accomplished so much but feels deep down that on almost every human level he blew it. The sadness makes it easier to understand the binge drinking and the rage.

Joely Richardson is terrific as Mary Hemingway, Ernest's fourth and final wife. Not only is she tough, beautiful and classy enough to imitate Marlene Dietrich and match Papa drink for drink, but you can see her enormous sadness even when she's laughing her head off. This woman has seen Hemingway at his greatest and now she's stuck with what's left of him . . . but she never gives in to despair.

Now I have to say that the young reporter's story is not nearly as compelling as the lion in winter stuff. Ed Myers is what they call a "Mary Sue" in fan fiction. He's just a stand-in for the viewer, like, "it would be so cool if I got to hang out with Hemingway in Cuba! I bet he'd teach me stuff and we'd go fishing and just hanging around with him would make that pretty girl at the office fall crazy in love with me!" There's nothing about this guy that explains why Hemingway (or anyone else) would adopt him as a son. Or why the prettiest girl in the office would fall madly in love with him.

One final thought: if you wonder how Hemingway himself would have viewed this story of his last days there's a very interesting early story he wrote called "The Battler." It's about how a teenage Nick Adams (really Hemingway himself) comes across a washed up champion prize fighter who's gone punch drunk and become a hobo. The man drifts from town to town in a permanent daze cared for by a single black servant who is really more of a keeper. The champ's ex wife is denounced as a tramp but ultimately it's revealed that she sends the champ money every month so he can drift around and not starve. When I was a kid I wondered what the point of the story was. I think it's Hemingway acknowledging the limits of his own values. You can be the big, tough, famous white guy, you can be the champ at what you do, but in the end the people who are supposed to "serve" you (women and blacks) will end up owning you. Winner take nothing!

This movie tells that story, in a way. But it also suggests a more human possibility of redemption, when Hemingway tells the kid, in effect, "don't be like me. Learn from my mistakes." The resolution is pretty cheesy (the pretty girl at the office? Really?) But at least they were trying to imagine the possibility of hope. Hemingway could have used a little of that himself!

Oh Papa, what happen!

[ccorral419 · 6/10 · 3 May 2016]

This true story about the relationship between journalist Denne Bart Petitclerc (Giovanni Ribisi) and legendary writer Ernest Hemingway (Adrian Sparks) takes place during the 1959 Cuban Revolution. While Hemingway's granddaughter, Mariel Hemingway gets a brief cameo, co-stars Minka Kelly (Friday Night Lights), Joely Richardson (Nip/Tuck) and Ribisi are left to fight to establish their place in the film. To blame here is Director Bob Yari ("Crash" 2004) and Editor Glen Scantlebury. With a beach scene between Hemingway, Mary and Denne incorrectly shot/edited (the beach shore can't be behind all of them) and scenes that stop and start, the already lackluster chemistry between the characters struggle. Even Writer Denne Bart Petitclerc's dialogue is choppy and weak, and this is his story. At least, Sparks does a nice job as Hemingway, providing something interesting to hang on to. I don't care if this is the first Hollywood film to be shot in Cuba since 1959, I need more here and didn't get it.

Sad end to an Adventurer/lover/writer's life

[keps007 · 6/10 · 1 March 2017]

This is a story of how Hemmingway reached out to a writer in his elder years from Havana. The purpose was so the youthful writer would inspire his love for romance and adventure. Giovanni Ribisi did a great job portraying the writer, who inevitably did not re-invigorate or inspire Hemmingway but rather liked Hemmingway's always drunk and nude wife and drove the master author to his grave with a sour outlook.

I don't agree with the negative reviews of this movie

[cruzanheart · 8/10 · 5 May 2016]

Well, okay, maybe the one about continuity -- I had a hard time following the time line of how long Ribisi's character was in Cuba each time ("returning on Tuesday" seemed awfully short compared to everything that happened while he was in Cuba), but I'll overlook that in favor of the story and the excellent acting by the cast. I feel that Adrian Sparks portrayed Papa in all of his flawed, tortured glory without going over the top. The audience senses the churning volcano beneath the surface that occasionally bursts forth. After reading "Hemingway in Love" this past winter, I had a greater depth of understanding for the unresolved guilt and regret that Papa carried in his later years. Joely Richardson was perfect as Mary, a woman who actually had a very interesting life all on her own but who was perpetually in the shadow of the great man. Giovanni Ribisi played his role quite well -- any woodenness belonged to the character and his repressed feelings of abandonment, not to the actor's characterization. Loved the movie, and now must read the book!

It was an educational movie

[tomokoi · 6/10 · 4 September 2017]

There are many things I did not know in this movie. I learned "Old man and sea" in my high school and I barely knew Hemingway spent his life in Cuba for a while. However, I did not know Hemingway was involved in the civil war in Cuba and he committed suicide. It may be common sense to some people, but people who did not grew up in the U.S. do not know about it. I did not know Ed Myer either. The relationship Ed Myer and Hemingway was complicated. Ed Myer looked for his father figure in Hemingway, but I did not think they bulit that kind of relationship because Hemingway misunderstood Ed and punched his face. Their acting does not show what kind of relationship Ed and Hemingway really had. Hemingway also had a difficult relationship with his wife. Whenever Mary talked about her successful career in the past, Hemingway looked offended. Mary said " I love you"to him and papa looked pleased, but it did not fit the story. In reality, Hemingway committed suicide anyway. Around the complicated emotion and Hemingway's depression were not acted well. Ed myer and his girlfriend were having difficult time and Ed Myer had doubts about a relationship or a woman. Then suddenly, he decided to marry her. The girlfriend was angry, but she was kissing him. That part was happening too sudden. So I gave the movie 6 not 7.

Poorly written, acted and directed, even for Hemingway fans

[lenlevitt7-1 · 2/10 · 1 May 2016]

Went into this anticipating intriguing true story providing some insights into the revered author. Was initially put off by the embarrassing performances of Papa and especially Mary Hemingway characters, but eventually realized they were provided with a dreadful trite script and were just battling their way through it under vacuous direction. Not being drawn into the story, I had plenty of time to notice the comically inept directing and editing. Amateurish disconnects, visual glitches, motivational and logical inconsistencies, silly scoring, etc. etc. My companion said it had the feel of a Lifetime movie, but I think that is generous because this was a greater waste of talent and potentially interesting material.

A Must See For Hemingway Fans!!!

[nlewtus · 10/10 · 6 May 2016]

I'm baffled by the hostility of many professional critics to this film. (The user, or amateur, reviewers are much more accurate, fair, knowledgeable and balanced. I'm finding this is true with user book reviews also. The amateur reviewers often know much more, care more, and are less biased about the subject than the professional reviewers.) I think the reason that so many professional critics did not like this film is because in liberal circles today Hemingway is very much out of fashion, and looked down upon. He is 'politically incorrect' now. Also Hemingway is not nearly as popular and well known today as was the case from 1930 to 1965.

If you know about and like this famous author, as I do, this is the film for you. The stage actor, Adrian Sparks, who plays Hemingway nails the author's look, mannerisms, ideas, and even the sound of his voice. The film captures perfectly Hemingway's relationship with his prickly last wife, Mary, his mental state and concerns, and his relationship with friends, in the late 1950s period in Cuba, all per the historical record. And an added treat is that the film was made in Cuba at Hemingway's actual home, and favorite bar, the Floridita. The director may have even used the author's actual fishing boat the 'Pilar', which used to be kept at the Finca Vigia Estate after the author's death. If not it was a very close replica right down to the black hull. Also I thought screenwriter Denne Petitclerc's, a friend of the Hemingways, script was accurate, honest, inclusive, intelligent, well done, and thoughtful.

Good if you already know a lot about Hemingway...

[moten200 · 5/10 · 29 April 2016]

As my title to this review states if one knows a lot about Hemingway's life this movie might be an enjoyable experience. If you don't know much you may get lost in the story. I have read the majority of Hemingway's books and just about everything available about his personal life. Still, the film twists a few facts and leaves out significant pieces of information. There are a few story lines that don't connect very well. Hemingway's alleged knowledge of a cross-dressing J Edgar Hoover is offered as the reason for the FBI's harassment of Hemingway. Other research suggests the feud between these two was far more complicated. The scenes of Cuba alone are worth seeing the movie.

A True Gem

[kelly_hanzlik · 10/10 · 4 May 2016]

The creators of "Crash", "The Illusionist", and "The Painted Veil" have done it again. Their latest movie, "Papa", a labor of love that took over 4 years to get to the big screen, tremendous commitment and dedication, grabs you from the first scene. The movie opens with a seemingly innocent scene showing a small boy talking to his father. Unfortunately, the few carelessly words spoken by the man, will remain with the son the remainder of his life, a great lesson for us all, and one of a number within the movie if one pays attention. We then see the man as an adult, albeit an incomplete one. He is an outwardly successful and confident reporter in Miami, who is in a relationship with the perfect girl from the same newspaper. He has a secret though. For personal reasons, he idolizes Ernest Hemmingway, and has been struggling for years to perfect a letter which he has composed to the legend to thank him for writing the words that helped him learn to write and gave him his life's purpose. His stunning, but nosy girlfriend, played perfectly by actress Minka Kelly, sends his letter to the great man and this starts him on an incredible journey that will change all their lives. The letter must have been heartfelt and well written because Hemmingway calls and invites him to Cuba, and they develop a kinship. The movie is the first to be filmed in Cuba in 55 years, and stayed true to the times and place, shooting in Hemmingway's home, as well as Floridita, the Havana club he frequented. Authenticity was clearly important to the creators, as they even used Hemmingway's typewriter in the movie. As the movie progresses, one gains a giant glimpse of what life was in Cuba for those who lived there during that time period. We see the beauty as well as the ugliness. One also gains insight into Hemmingway's world, and what made him the man he was. We see how much beloved he was to the Cuban people, and his great love for them and the country. We see the introverted man who was often besieged by his fans and the public, a man tormented by the events he had witnessed in the war, during the revolution, as well as in his own past. We see a man who is a struggling writer, just trying to type out a few words each day, although, he clearly had more pressure than most. We see a man struggling with his day to day life not meeting his expectations, not unlike us all at times. We see a man struggling with depression and alcohol and the devastating effects of both. We are shown what makes him great, as well as what makes him human. One is reminded of the movie Crash in that both show we are not perfect as human beings. We all can do incredible things, as well as terrible things, and yet are neither all bad, nor or all good. Adrian Sparks plays Hemmingway, and truly seems to channel the man in portraying his extreme highs and lows. He is terrifying in scenes showing him as he loses his temper and self-control, and yet tender and loving to those he cares about in other scenes. His wife, played wonderfully by Joely Richardson, brings one further into his world and the challenges faced by those who loved the man. The movie does not shy away from showing how deeply depression and mental illness, as well as addiction impact those who struggle with such conditions, as well as all of those who care about them. The movie is gripping as it shows Hemmingway spiraling out of control and on edge, as well as the struggle of the Cuban people during the revolution, all as witnessed through the eyes of the "Kid", played by Giovanni Ribisi, who somehow manages to slip right into the time period and subtly and expertly captures the conservativeness of the time period and the perfect balance between confidence and insecurity as an adult who learns true humility and comes to be a man under the wing of a legend, who while a genius and larger than life, remains only human and still fallible like us all. Other notable performances include Shaun Toub and a cameo appearance by Mariel Hemmingway. The movie has a number of lessons, one of which is how we all determine our destiny via the choices we make. Do yourself a favor, and choose to see this true gem of a movie. You won't regret it.

essential things

[Kirpianuscus · 28 May 2022]

A very generous story, beautiful acting and fair portrait of Ernest Hemingway. A film to remind not exactly a biography but the small, essential things defining, in proper manner, the life.

A film about admiration, friendship, fame, marriage and fall of apparences and old stories .

Just admirable crafted and, for the work of Adrian Sparks being pure grateful.

Just WOW!

[kynick2 · 2/10 · 6 February 2017]

I really wanted to like this film as I am a Hemingway fan like many people. I read a few reviews that trashed the film and then I came across one that said "I don't know why all the bad reviews" and that was enough for me to download a check it out. The film started OK. I like Ribisi (Sneaky Pete)and Minka Kelly is simply beautiful but from there it goes down hill. If they had shown Cuba (ala Woody Allen New York/Rome/Paris etc) it would have been more watchable but they didn't and it wasn't.

The acting. Oh my goodness, to say it was wooden would be the understatement of the 21st century. The worst of the bunch is the guy that plays Hemingway. I've never seen or heard Hemingway in real life but I can't imagine he was the passionless bore he seemed to be. Maybe not a fair criticism but I like the way Hemingway was portrayed in Midnight in Paris. Halfway or so through the film, there is a get together and a confrontation of sorts between EH and his wife...here is where you get bad acting at it's finest. Ribisi seemed out of place but I believe that is more a product of a poorly written story than his skill set.

The story. How bad is it? Let me count the ways. Never mind, I have better things to do. How this is rated above "3" is beyond me.

Were there two versions?

[jrcadams-231-553486 · 9/10 · 11 November 2016]

I loved seeing places that were familiar to me from recent visits. As I watched the film, I recognized many scenes that I have seen before. The film was released in 2016, but I saw at least parts of it years ago. The nude scenes were missing from the version I saw, so I suspect it was a TV special, and some scenes were cut.

I don't know why it got some terrible reviews. I could understand it if someone thought it could be better, but at least one review was negative for every aspect of the film, acting, directing, music. It almost looked like a conspiracy! I suspect that the aborted FBI raid on the fishing vessel was cooked up for a bit of drama, but didn't actually happen. Apart from that, it was, in fact, a perfectly respectable film.

Painful

[rozziemarie · 3/10 · 28 March 2018]

This movie had so much material. The cast was promising but the writing and sound were a sad dissapointment. It felt like it was written in a week, shot in a few days and had a sound editor had little experience. Movie fell completely flat.

A Wonderful Film

[jeanjour · 10/10 · 17 October 2016]

As with many who have written reviews, I am a Hemingway fan. This is a fabulous film in a tradition not seen often enough. Everyone else has said many good things about the film and they are true. What I would like to draw attention to is the story not told here. Denne's story.

There are hints dropped in the film and I am sure I didn't pick up on all of them. Why change his name? Not sure why "Ed", but Myers was his mother's maiden name. Ed is asked in the film, if he ever met found his parents. I believe (correct me if I am wrong) but he says his father died early of drink and he met his mother for about 10 minutes in Berkeley and indicates her reaction wasn't good. (She got a PhD, became a professor, and worked with handicapped children.) There is more there.

Denne goes on to be a quite successful screenwriter and was married to "Debbie" Elva for 21 years. (There is more than a little of Hemingway's leanness in screen writing.) When I saw the movie, I assumed it was made from a book and there would be more there. It wasn't. Denne did the screenplay. Denne did move to Ketchum and stayed close to Mary until her death. There is another story there.

Great scenery, acting, story, action, suspense, and gut-level tears of emotion

[avenson1 · 10/10 · 17 May 2016]

I loved this movie and it is a bonus that it is based on true history with a surprising action scene near the end. Good movies need: Good scenery and filming, good acting, good story, action, suspense, surprises, and gut-level emotion and this has it all. I was brought to tears of joy 6 times during the movie which does not happen to me often. The first occurrence of tears was early in the move, near the end of the first scene. What a delight to have that happen to me so early in a movie. This is a good date movie because of pulling on emotional strings. This movie is all about the intense love of friends and family in the life for Ernest Hemingway. I totally can't understand those who are rating this movie low. Strangely the movie is in limited release around the USA. Tell everyone about it! This movie is quality film making and deserves a better chance by way of being general release to all theaters.

This film's portrait of E. Hemingway is engaging, enlightening and entrancing.

[dave-mcclain · 8/10 · 1 May 2016]

Sometimes the importance of a film transcends its subject matter. "Papa: Hemingway in Cuba" (R, 1:49) is one such film. It was the first Hollywood production shot on the island nation of Cuba since that country's communist revolution brought Fidel Castro to power in 1959. The gradual opening of Cuban society and subsequent easing of tensions between Cuba and the U. S. created the possibility of such a production, while depicting the twilight years of writer Ernest Hemingway served as the perfect project.

The time of his residence in Cuba was the last happy period in the amazing and enigmatic life of one of America's greatest writers. Hemingway wrote as a newspaper journalist, war correspondent, short story writer, poet, playwright and novelist. He wrote in a deceptively simple style which won him the Pulitzer Prize and the Nobel Prize and influenced countless other writers. He gathered ideas and inspiration from his experiences in three different wars (both World Wars and the Spanish Civil War), living and working in several different countries in North America and Europe (including Canada, France and Austria), his passion for the outdoors (especially hunting and fishing) and his turbulent romantic life (typified in his four marriages). He was a man who survived one hospitalization for war wounds, two airplane crashes, three car accidents and several different illnesses, yet worsened his health further through a lifetime of heavy drinking. Hemingway's was a life of drama and this film excellently portrays a portion of that life.

"Papa: Hemingway in Cuba" tells the true story of the writer's latter years in Cuba (mostly 1957) as he befriends and mentors a rising writer named Denne Bart Petitclerc - renamed Ed Myers in this script. Ed (Giovanni Ribisi) was abandoned as a child and found inspiration in Hemingway's writing. As a young newspaper reporter, he writes, revises and then hesitates to send a fan letter to his idol. Ed's co-worker and girlfriend, Debbie Hunt (Minka Kelly), mails the letter without Ed's knowledge and Ed gets a surprise telephone call at work from Hemingway (Adrian Sparks) who invites Ed to go fishing with him in Cuba.

Ed makes a number of visits to Cuba during which his friendship with Hemingway and his wife, Mary (Joely Richardson), grows, just as Hemingway's own physical and mental state deteriorates. Also going downhill is his relationship with Debbie (strained by the frequency of those trips) and the political and security situation in Cuba, which is drifting toward revolution. Ed fishes, swims, talks and socializes with the Hemingways and their diverse group of friends as he witnesses his idol's behavior become more erratic and observes incidents that demonstrate increasing danger for the government and the residents of Cuba. Through all this, Ed struggles to find his voice as a writer, to reconcile the Hemingway he got to know with his image of his literary hero and his reluctance to commit to a woman who clearly loves him.

"Papa: Hemingway in Cuba" is engaging, enlightening and entrancing. Actually seeing the country of Cuba (including the actual house Hemingway occupied) through the confident lens of cinematographer Ernesto Melara is both beautiful and interesting. The audience also gains a lot of insight into who this famous man was a person, much the same way as Movie Fans who saw 2011's "My Week with Marilyn", which is another true story told through the eyes of an ordinary young man who gets to spend time with his world-famous idol (although Michelle Williams' legs are much more attractive than Adrian Sparks').

The story is economically told by a script from Denne Bart Petitclerc himself, who sadly died early in the production of this film, and the direction of Bob Yari, who, interestingly, has been a successful feature film producer for over 15 years (including 2004's Best Picture Oscar winner "Crash"). Bringing the film's well-conceived drama and well-written dialog to life is a stellar multi-national cast featuring award-worthy performances from Ribisi, Kelly and especially Richardson and Sparks who also happen to look a lot like the real people they are playing. All this combines to create a film which is pleasing to the eye, the ear, the intellect and the discerning moviegoer's sense of enjoyment. "A-"

I loved this movie!

[janabestdealrealty · 10/10 · 1 December 2016]

This movie was a breath of fresh air among the mind numbing trash that is produced lately. Honest review of the human condition. This is the first movie review that I have ever written and it may be the last. I feel we should reward work that is so honest and reveals the human condition in all of its glory and but also in its selfishness and sin. We live in a black and white world. We want everything to fit nicely in a box but it never does. Movies like this normalize the world for us. We are all flawed humans even the most brilliant and talented among us. That's what I got from the movie anyway. I am sure some people will see something else but isn't this the mark of a great storyteller.

Papa: Hemingway in Cuba is the real-life connection between then budding journalist Denne Bart Petitclerc and Ernest Hemingway that makes this movie click.

[rogus2006 · 8/10 · 28 July 2017]

Papa: Hemingway in Cuba was released in the U.S. in 2015, written by Denne Bart Petitclerc. It's the dumb-luck story about Miami Globe reporter, Ed Myers, who is the real-life Petitclerc, too shy to mail a fan letter he addresses to the American icon. When his love- interest steals and mails the letter, Myers receives a phone call from Hemingway that snowballs into a deep, trusting, faith-filled, and fruitful friendship.

The dates, photos, and video clips of Hemingway solidify his legacy. The opening credits chronicle moments in Cuba and foreshadow his death. If you know that Hemingway quickly left Cuba after 20 years of life in Finca Vigia near Havanna, like me you await that that moment when he abruptly leaves Cuba. I was disappointed his departure was overlooked in this movie, but it made room for sequences of Hemingway providing guns to Cuban fighters – which was unknown to me. The violent attack on the presidential palace as Castro gains power blazes Myers' career as a war correspondent. The action Hemingway and Myers experience ducking bullets and hiding near vehicles strewn in a Havana street, rivets Myer's dream of what it takes to become a good reporter of his time.

Touching scenes and dialogue include Myers' humble story of how he landed a job, was fired for an inability to spell, but hired back after typing all of Hemingway's books. This moment takes place on the beach with Hemingway and his wife as waves break in the background, mirroring Myers' break into journalism. The actors (Giovanni Ribisi as Myers, Adrian Sparks as Ernest Hemingway, and Joely Richardson as Mary Hemingway) are heartfelt, but sometimes lack conviction. None-the- less, your heart strings tug like undertow with Ribisi's convincing humility as Myers, and Sparks' persuasive affection as Hemingway. Myers later convinces Hemingway he loves and needs him, which undoes a near- tragic event. Director Bob Yari effectively steers the action as the dialogue booms.

Comical scenes include the Hemingway's swimming in the nude, Myers' first encounter with Mrs. Hemingway. The butt-shots are modest and fun, and Myers' first-blush is diminished by movie's end when he swims with the sharks, so to speak.

Conflicts include the Hemingway couple forgetting how to show love toward each other, as they deal with aging, writer's block, Hemingway's father's suicide, and Mary's loss of herself as she lives in his shadow. The birthday party sequence shows Mary's extremes to convince the audience that the weight of blame is hers for the couple's unhappiness.

Supporting cast includes close and longtime friend, Evan Shipman (Shaun Toub), who's real life bout with gangrene inspire The Hills of Kilimanjaro. Myers' girlfriend, Debbie Hunt (Minka Kelly), is gorgeous in her role. She tempts Myers to stay away from Hemingway. He almost does. Myers affection for her conflicts with his need for Hemingway, as Myers navigates explosive love scenes with Deb and a grandiose friendship with Hemingway.

J. Edgar Hoover and the FBI, duel plane crashes, revolution headlines, and guns dumped into the ocean sequence fast. I watched a second time to piece the implications.

The inclusion of the Finca Vigia, beautiful landscaping, and a swimming pool larger than their living room show the bountiful creativity of the Hemingways. The bar scenes and daiquiris add crunch and the palm trees calm. His yellow car moves about in the beautiful Havana countryside that lacks the sting of industrial growth and housing developments, with plant-life touched only by human hands and small tools. The architecture is lovely. And the ocean scenes reflect the depth and vastness of Hemingway's soul as a writer with the Havana skyline, smoky and depressing.

SPOILER ALERT: Papa… does not include Hemingway's life and death in Idaho.

I give it 8 stars: 2 for the acting, 2 for dialogue, 2 for the beautiful scenery and Hemingway's real-life former home, and 2 for showing the many facets of Ernest Hemingway (some which I never knew) as told by budding journalist, Denne Bart Petitclerc.

I watched on Netflix.

An interesting perspective on Ernest "Papa" Hemingway

[steven_torrey · 10/10 · 26 April 2016]

With Papa and Mary Hemingway, I had the same reservations that I had with Diego Rivera and Frida Kahlo--they were all drunks. A drunk is never charming, fun, witty, intelligent, or genius. They are just drunks! "Papa: Ernest Hemingway in Cuba", records the time 1959 just before the Fidel Castro Revolution. Ernest Hemingway is a gun runner and evades the Cuban Police by throwing his guns overboard.

Boston Globe Journalist Denne Bart Petitclerc writes a fan letter to Hemingway and is befriended by Hemingway and invited down to Cuba. He probably learns more of Ernest and Mary Hemingway than he wanted to know.

But by this time in Cuba, Hemingway's paranoia leads him to believe people are out to harm the 59 year old Hemingway who by now is drinking to excess, is engaging in suicidal ideation with his gun, can no longer write, can no longer have sex, and suffering the effects of alcohol abuse.

While the movie is ostensibly about Papa Hemingway, the movie is also about Denne Bart Petitclerc who had been raised as an orphan during the Great Depression. So in Papa, a name he was called by everyone, Denne Bart Petitclerc has found a new surrogate Papa. And this Papa doesn't hesitate to slug Denne when learns that Denne had been seen speaking to Mafioso Santo Trafficanti. And Denne ends up in the middle of the drunken arguments of Mary and Ernest Hemingway. Worse, he has to wrestle a gun from Papa, who is about to commit suicide with it. Denne leaves Cuba and discovers that his wife has left him for his excessive devotion to Papa that takes him away from her. And Denne has to decide what is more important: a drunk, self-destructive, finished artist or his wife. There is no resolution in the film and the viewer is left to wonder what happened to his marital relationship. (Outside sources say Denne went in 1960 to Ketchum Idaho and stayed there till his death in 2006.)

At the end of the movie, the print over announces that Hemingway committed suicide (with his shotgun) in Ketchum, Idaho in 1961--at aged 61.

The movie was fast paced with an aura of realism to it. Denne wrote a story about the friendship and was preparing a movie script before he died of lung cancer in 2006, age 77. (Smoking the other bête noire of abuse.) For anyone who is fan of Hemingway, this sheds an interesting perspective of the writer at the end of his creative life and his life.

Based on a True Story

[lavatch · 8/10 · 22 November 2016]

For those who admire the writing of Ernest Hemingway, this film offers a wonderful perspective into the time that he lived in Cuba late in his life. This period also coincides with the overthrow of Batista in Cuba by the rebel forces of Fidel Castro. The film is successful in blending biography and history in a well-photographed motion picture--the first American film since the height of Cold War with location filming in Cuba.

The film is based on the true life story of writer Denne Petitclerc, a young journalist who formed a bond with his idol Hemingway while writing for the Miami Herald in the late 1950s. Peticlerc sent a letter to Hemingway, who responded warmly. A virtual father-son relationship ensued in their meetings in Cuba.

Some of the most interesting portions of the film are those that bring to the forefront such political developments as the Cuban revolution led by Castro and the troubling harassment of Hemingway by FBI director J. Edgar Hoover. There is even a scene where the journalist meets with American mafia boss Santos Trafficante.

The personal side of the film comes across in a fine performance by Adrian Sparks as the aging Hemingway, losing his powers as a writer and fighting personal demons. Giovanni Ribisi is good as the journalist, who provides support to Hemingway during the crisis that eventually ends in Idaho when Hemingway took his life. There are good supporting performances from Minka Kelly as Deb, the journalist's girlfriend, Joely Richardson as the feisty Mary Hemingway, and James Remar as Trafficante.

The film might have probed deeper into the artistry of Hemingway and how his life story figured so prominently in his works of fiction. Occasionally, the famous books, "A Farewell to Arms," "For Whom the Bell Tolls," and "The Old Man and the Sea" were referenced. But the backdrop of Hemingway's creative process in bringing those literary works to life could have been explored more completely. In that way, we would know why Hemingway was such a great inspiration to so many writers.