ACROSS THE RIVER and INTO THE TREES – NOW PLAYING ON DEMAND

Based on the Ernest Hemingway Novel by the same name, we meet Col. Richard Cantwell (Liev Schreiber) dealing with some health issues, after his long run as a US Army Commander.  When he convinces his friend and Doctor, Capt. Wes O’Neil (Danny Huston), to give him a long weekend away to go duck hunting, before he checks himself into the hospital where he belongs, Col. Cantwell heads to Venice for one last hurrah.  Much to the Colonel’s dismay, he has apparently garnered a driver for his excursion – a young private named Jackson (Josh Hutcherson), thanks to the good Doctor not trusting Cantwell to return.

As Col. Cantwell cuts Jackson from his duty of watching him all weekend, he happens upon a beautiful young woman named Renata Contarini (Matilda De Angelis) driving a water taxi, so off they go to head to his hotel, so he can strive for a few minutes of relaxation.  As Colonel Cantwell and Renata’s paths keep intersecting, so do the Colonel and Jacksons, as he hasn’t strayed too far from the Colonel, flowing his original orders from Capt. O’Neil.

The plot in the lives of the Colonel and Renata thicken, as it seems that they are both in need of companionship at this point in their lives…only problem is that Renata is engaged to be married, making things very awkward for her fiancé, as she feels the need to continue to be close to the Colonel…

Still in search of the perfect gun to use on his duck hunting excursion, the Colonel realizes that he cannot destroy any more lives within his quest upon this earth, especially not the beautiful Renata’s.  And as the pain of his loss from losing many of his regiment during the war, and significant loved ones along the way too manages to consume him, the Colonel come to terms with his own failing health, and how long he himself, has left on this earth…

I give ACROSS THE RIVER AND INTO THE TREES 3 out of 5 Stars – Leiv Schreiber and Matilda De Angelis are wonderful together, showing how important it is to have a true friend, and many points within our lives.  Hutcherson is really good too, playing the young private who needs to keep a close eye on the Colonel, while allowing him to work through whatever is truly ailing him, and drawing him to Venice.  Hemingway’s last novel provides the complete story of love, life, and loss, in a way that only he can convey, and Paula Ortiz and Peter Flannery managed to bring this beautiful story to life, throughout each and every frame…

Kathy Kaiser