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The Whole Wide World

1996·Movie
1h 46min
IMDb7.0Rotten Tomatoes81%73%

Where to watch

PrimeThe RokuThe CWKanopyHoopla

Links go to licensed services. Data from JustWatch and TMDB.

What's your score?

Your score

The Whole Wide World fingerprint

Big heart, low-key.

Energy

Calm and low-key

Builds slowly, so the intensity comes in waves.

  • Tension4
  • Fast Pace4
  • Adrenaline3

Heart

Romantic and melancholic

Much of it is about family.

  • Romance8
  • Melancholy8
  • Nostalgia8

Humor

Some sharp wit

Not a comedy at heart.

  • Wit & Wordplay5
  • Situational Comedy2
  • Cringe Humor2

World

History, a real life story, and family

  • Dialogue Centrality9
  • World Immersion7
  • Rewatchability7

Craft

Standout characters, performances, and dialogue

  • Character Depth9
  • Acting8
  • Dialogue Quality8

Style

Functional look and sound

  • Cinematography7
  • Music Composition7
  • Editing6

Who it's for

AdultsDate NightFriends NightPartner WatchPublic Viewing SafeSolo WatchTeensComfort WatchDrop-in FriendlyThought-Provoking

Find more like it

Nostalgic moviesMelancholic moviesBittersweet moviesPeaceful moviesRomantic movies

Based on the GoodWatch fingerprint: our scores for 70+ attributes of every movie. Select a row to see all of them.

About

Based on a true story.

In 1930s Texas, pulp fiction master Robert E. Howard is introduced to Novalyne Price, a teacher with aspirations of becoming an author herself, and they begin a unique relationship filled with conversation and imagination. Although the possibility exists for romance, Howard's obsession with his work and dedication to his sick mother leads Price to look elsewhere for love, leaving Howard feeling betrayed and alone.
Biographical RomanceHistorical Drama1930s TexasLiterary FiguresComplex RelationshipSmall Town LifeCreative PassionMelancholyDialogue-Driven

Crew

Directed by:
Dan Ireland
Written by:
Michael Scott Myers, Novalyne Price Ellis
Produced by:
Vincent D'Onofrio, Lawrence Mortorff, Peter Locke
Composed by:
Harry Gregson-Williams

Sequels and Prequels

No sequels or prequels available

Media

Questions about The Whole Wide World

Quick answers from GoodWatch data.

Where can I stream The Whole Wide World legally?

PrimeThe RokuThe CWKanopyHooplaPluto TVVIX Plex

The Whole Wide World is included with a subscription to Amazon Prime Video and Amazon Prime Video with Ads in the United States. You can watch it free with ads on The CW, Kanopy, and Hoopla. You can also rent or buy it from Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, and YouTube. All links in Where to Watch go to these licensed services.

Is The Whole Wide World worth watching?

75
GreatGoodWatch score

Mostly. It's well received, with a GoodWatch score of 75/100 (IMDb 7 and Rotten Tomatoes 81%). The GoodWatch score combines critic and audience ratings.

How long is The Whole Wide World?

1 h 46 min

The Whole Wide World runs 1 h 46 min.

Is The Whole Wide World based on a true story?

Yes. It's based on real events or a real person's life.

Do critics and audiences agree on The Whole Wide World?

Critics81
Audiences72

Not quite. Critics rate The Whole Wide World higher (81) than audiences (72). It may be more rewarding than it is crowd-pleasing.

What language is The Whole Wide World in?

English

It was made in English. Produced in United States.

In how many countries can I watch The Whole Wide World?

123ADAGALAOARATAUAZBABBBFBGBMBO+109

GoodWatch finds legal streaming, rental, or purchase options for The Whole Wide World in 123 countries. Pick any of them in Where to Watch to see the local services.

What tropes does The Whole Wide World use?

Longing for FictionlandHistorical Hero UpgradeRelative ButtonDriven to SuicideGoodbye, Cruel World!Slice of LifeEverything Is Big in TexasForegone ConclusionMagnificent Moustaches of MexicoAudible SharpnessGenteel Interbellum SettingDowner Endingand 19 more

TV Tropes lists 31 storytelling tropes for The Whole Wide World, including Longing for Fictionland, Historical Hero Upgrade, Relative Button.