Is A Love Story: The Story of 'To Have and Have Not' Worth Watching? Honest Movie Review & Audience Verdict (2003)

📖 The Core Premise

A Love Story: The Story of 'To Have and Have Not' stands as a 2003 entry that attempts to leave its mark on the Documentary landscape. At its heart, the film explores complex themes wrapped in a compelling storyline. As the plot unfolds, we see characters navigating a world where stakes are high. "In the '40s Howard Hawks boasts that he can make a movie out of the worst thing Hemingway ever has written. When Hemingway asks, which novel he means, Hawks says To Have and Have Not. Jules Furthman writes a script, which follows the book closely. The location of the story is Cuba, but the US Government is against depicting corruption and violence on Cuba, and threatens to withdraw the film's export license. William Faulkner rewrites the script, and relocates the story to Martinique. Hawks's wife, Nancy Slim Gross, happens to see a young model at the cover of the magazine Harper's Bazaar, and shows it to her husband. Hawks is a star-maker, who likes to discover and nurture new talents. After a screen test, he chooses the 19-year-old model as the lead actress opposite Humphrey Bogart. She changes her name from Betty Perske to Lauren Bacall. At the first takes she is so nervous that she shakes."

🎬 Performance & Direction

A movie's success often hinges on its execution. In A Love Story: The Story of 'To Have and Have Not', Leonard Maltin delivers a performance that anchors the emotional weight of the film. The direction aims to balance pacing with character development, a hallmark of good Documentary. While there are moments of brilliance, the pacing occasionally dips.

🤔 Why You Should Watch (or Skip)

Is A Love Story: The Story of 'To Have and Have Not' worth your time? If you appreciate Documentary films that take risks, this is likely a must-watch. It stands out as one of the stronger entries of 2003, offering enough depth to satisfy critical viewers while remaining accessible to casual audiences.

🏆 Final Verdict

Ultimately, A Love Story: The Story of 'To Have and Have Not' is a solid addition to the genre. With a runtime of 11 minutes, it asks for a significant time investment, but for the right audience, it pays off.

Our recommendation: Definitely Watch.