Watch Papa: Hemingway in Cuba

Papa: Hemingway in Cuba is a 2015 biographical drama directed by Bob Yari and starring Giovanni Ribisi, Joely Richardson, and Adrian Sparks. It tells the story of a young journalist, Ed Myers, who idolizes Ernest Hemingway and becomes Hemingway's close friend during the author's final years in Cuba. The movie is set in Havana in the late 1950s, a period when Cuba was undergoing political and social upheaval. Ed Myers, played by Giovanni Ribisi, is a struggling journalist who writes fan letters to Hemingway, played by Adrian Sparks. To Myers' surprise, Hemingway responds to his letters, and the two men quickly become friends.

Despite the differences in their backgrounds and personalities, Myers and Hemingway share a love of literature, adventure, and alcohol. The two men embark on a series of outings, including fishing trips and bullfights, and Hemingway introduces Myers to his life in Cuba, including his wife Mary, played by Joely Richardson.

As the relationship between Myers and Hemingway deepens, Myers becomes increasingly aware of Hemingway's personal demons, including his alcoholism, mood swings, and troubled relationships with his wives and children. At the same time, Myers struggles to maintain his journalistic integrity in a country where freedom of the press is under threat.

Papa: Hemingway in Cuba is a beautifully filmed and emotionally resonant drama that explores the complex and bittersweet friendship between two very different men. It captures the spirit of Hemingway's writing, his love of adventure and risk-taking, and his passion for living life to the fullest, while also depicting the waning years of his life and the toll that his personal demons took on him.

Adrian Sparks delivers a compelling performance as Hemingway, capturing both his legendary charisma and his vulnerability, while Giovanni Ribisi shines as the earnest and ambitious journalist who becomes Hemingway's confidante. Joely Richardson is also excellent as Mary Hemingway, portraying her as a strong and independent woman who shares Hemingway's love of adventure but struggles to cope with his emotional and psychological problems.

The movie is also a stunning visual tribute to Cuba, featuring breathtaking shots of Havana's architecture, landscapes, and culture. The music is also superb, evoking the rhythms and sounds of Cuba and adding a layer of emotional depth to the story.

Overall, Papa: Hemingway in Cuba is a poignant and powerful drama that pays tribute to one of the greatest and most complex writers of the 20th century. It is a must-see for fans of Hemingway's work and anyone who loves stories of friendship, adventure, and the human spirit.

Papa: Hemingway in Cuba is a 2016 drama with a runtime of 1 hour and 49 minutes. It has received mostly poor reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.3 and a MetaScore of 37.