The Old Man and the Sea (1958)

Nominated for 3 Academy Awards:

 

Best Actor: Spencer Tracy

Best Cinematography, Color

Best Music, Scoring of a Dramatic or Comedy Picture (WON)

 

The first time seeing this, and with the honest curiosity of finding out if Spencer Tracy has what it takes to carry the movie. I read the book in high school and I wasn’t that impressed, finding it to be quite overpraised, but it is a one-man + one-fish show, and it does pave the path for what could be an outstanding leading performance.

And it’s not that Spencer fails badly, it’s an OK performance, but he’s not captivating enough to keep you mesmerized by this rather basic story. The direction surely doesn’t help, and it was hard to sell the fantasy, when the movie magic was lacking in the technical department. Those curious or Hemingway fans should give it a go, but it’s not an achievement in cinema.

 

I give it: 6/10

IMDB LINK