Hemingway and Gellhorn
  • Network: HBO
  • Series Premiere Date: May 28, 2012
Metascore
54

Mixed or average reviews - based on 22 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 10 out of 22
  2. Mixed: 7 out of 22
  3. Negative: 5 out of 22

Critic Reviews

  1. New York Daily News
    Reviewed by: David Hinckley
    May 29, 2012
    60
    While Hemingway & Gellhorn makes it clear she had world-class writing skills of her own, Gellhorn's story often does feel subsumed here, as if all of Hemingway's swagger and bravado really did make him a more prominent figure, or at least a more interesting one.
  2. Chicago Sun-Times
    Reviewed by: Lori Rackl
    May 29, 2012
    50
    Their inherently compelling story is cheapened by too many gimmicks and a lack of focus, sins that the writers Hemingway and Gellhorn managed to avoid in real life.
  3. Los Angeles Times
    Reviewed by: Robert Lloyd
    May 29, 2012
    50
    Though it is clearly based on research, with dialogue that scavenges the principals' own writing--it is never quite believable, either as history or drama.
  5. Philadelphia Daily News
    Reviewed by: Ellen Gray
    May 25, 2012
    50
    It offers tantalizing glimpses of other movies it might have been.
  6. Washington Post
    Reviewed by: Hank Stuever
    May 29, 2012
    40
    Hemingway & Gellhorn is overly enamored with its ridiculous sense of sweep.
  7. Slate
    Reviewed by: Troy Patterson
    May 25, 2012
    40
    Hemingway & Gellhorn's daft romanticization of its subjects proves central to its overwrought sense of self.
  8. Variety
    Reviewed by: Brian Lowry
    May 24, 2012
    40
    Considerable effort and care clearly went into that process, but unlike the city by the Bay, there's not much heart left in Hemingway & Gellhorn.

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
6.2

Generally favorable reviews- based on 14 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 7 out of 14
  2. Mixed: 6 out of 14
  3. Negative: 1 out of 14
  1. smiyamot
    Sep 15, 2016
    7
    It's always a treat to see how the authors lived their lives. We read their books and identify with the characters, but are the authors likeIt's always a treat to see how the authors lived their lives. We read their books and identify with the characters, but are the authors like the characters they write? This is a look at one of the famous authors of our generation. Was he a "legend in his own mind?"… Full Review »
  2. Mae88
    Jun 3, 2012
    8
    I liked the acting more than the rest but the movie is well done. Not just a love story but a honest, vivid portrait of two important peopleI liked the acting more than the rest but the movie is well done. Not just a love story but a honest, vivid portrait of two important people that made our history but couldn't make a history for themselves. They were very similar but distant as well. The movie has faults but it's enjoyable. I don't understand the bad criticism. It's an old style movie, one of those epic movies they used to do and somehow they stopped. Kidman is impressive, emmy-worth, she's magnetic, powerful, uber beautiful. Owen was a little bit ouf of sea but he did a good job after all. I suggest everyone to watch it, it's not a masterpiece but not that bad as many say.… Full Review »
  3. axekat63
    May 29, 2012
    2
    Astonishing that Clive Owen, and Nucole Kiddman's agents did not nothing to stop the release of this film. HBO, while generally creating someAstonishing that Clive Owen, and Nucole Kiddman's agents did not nothing to stop the release of this film. HBO, while generally creating some of the best television, has failed with Hemingway and Gellhorn.
    This film will surely be at home with the B movie crowd that will no doubt make fun of the often stupid dialogue and poor acting. Th bombing love scene between our stars was especially moving... bowl moving! Lar Ulric makes an appearance as a film maker with an accent that can only be described as worse than the Irish Spring voice-over. Pure and simple.. Hemingway and Gellhorn was the worst Ive seen from HBO.    … Full Review »
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