The Old Man and the Sea (1990)

Directed by: Jud Taylor | 93 minutes | drama | Actors: Anthony Quinn, Gary Cole, Patricia Clarkson, Joe Santos, Valentina Quinn, Francesco Quinn, Paul Calderon, Sully Diaz, Jaime Tirelli, Raúl Dávila, James McDaniel, Rene Rivera, Steven Rodriquez, Manuel E. Santiago, Alexis Cruz

‘The Old Man and the Sea’ is a remake of the 1958 classic starring Spencer Tracy. The story comes from the well-known novel by Ernest Hemingway, which won a Pulitzer Prize. Two-time Oscar winner Anthony Quinn (1915-2001) had long wanted to take on the role of the hapless Cuban fisherman. He asked his producer for the part as a present for his 75th birthday. ‘The Old Man and The Sea’ became a family get-together, with daughter Valentina Quinn and son Francesco Quinn also starring as daughter Angela and the younger Santiago. The story is about faded glory, the meaning of existence and man versus nature.

The film opens with cheerful music and the picturesque fishing village. The sea there has given old Santiago no fish for 84 days and yet he continues to do his work. They do not appear in the book, but the film introduces the American couple Pruitt played by Gary Cole and Patricia Clarkson. They become fascinated by the tenacity of the fisherman. Tom Pruitt has to introduce Hemingway himself, a writer’s block writer who is inspired by the fisherman’s story. Along with Santiago’s idol Manolo (Alexis Cruz), Manolin in the book, the couple eagerly await the return of the fisherman. Elements of the book have therefore changed, but the story has remained the same for the most part. The film is mainly set at sea in Santiago’s boat. Because his parents no longer allowed Manolo to sail with the old man, Santiago now fishes alone and talks to himself.

Despite these monologues and the same location, the film remains captivating. Viewers must be able to empathize with the character Santiago, his struggle and his despair. If you can’t do this, you will certainly get bored. Flashbacks are shown alternately that explain how the man got to this point in his life. Quinn convinces as an old almost defeated fisherman, his weathered face speaks volumes. He gives a lot of feeling to his words. Actually, all the others are minor characters, except for Manolo. A special role is played by Joe DiMaggio, who is frequently mentioned as the hero of Santiago and Manolo. The happiness of the famous New York Yankees baseball player seems to be linked to that of the fisherman. The special effects are not spectacular. In one shot you see that it is a silver inflatable fish. But all the effects are not disturbingly fake.

Especially the image of the leaping swordfish in all its grandeur lingers. Not everyone will appreciate ‘The Old Man and The Sea’. But if you have some compassion and have not seen the original, then you will find it a beautiful film.