Now streaming for free on Kanopy, Across the River and Into the Trees is a quietly affecting film that adapts Ernest Hemingway’s 1950 novel with grace and restraint. Set in post-WWII Venice, it explores love, loss, and reflection through the eyes of a weary American colonel nearing the end of his road.
Liev Schreiber, best known for action-heavy roles, delivers a surprisingly nuanced performance as Colonel Richard Cantwell. Here, he trades bravado for subtlety, embodying the inner conflict of a man scarred by war and time. Opposite him, the charming Matilda De Angelis brings warmth and elegance to Renata, a young Venetian noblewoman who becomes his unlikely romantic interest.
Their relationship is tender and visually compelling, but occasionally feels more literary than lived. While love across a wide age gap certainly happens, the emotional dynamic here can seem idealized—touching, yet not always believable. Yet even when the chemistry seems a tad strained, their scenes together are filled with a poetic undercurrent that keeps us watching.
Another endearing aspect of the film is its atmosphere. Postwar Venice is gorgeously rendered, almost ghostlike in its quiet beauty. The supporting cast adds depth without distraction, rounding out a world that feels lived-in yet dreamlike.
Though understated, the film maintains a steady rhythm. It’s a meditative “sleeper” that draws viewers in with mood and character rather than gimmicks and frenetic pacing. And without giving anything away, the ending is pure Hemingway—spare, poignant, and unforgettable.
For those seeking something thoughtful and beautifully composed, Across the River and Into the Trees is a hidden gem well worth discovering.
Their relationship is tender and visually compelling, but occasionally feels more literary than lived. While love across a wide age gap certainly happens, the emotional dynamic here can seem idealized—touching, yet not always believable. Yet even when the chemistry seems a tad strained, their scenes together are filled with a poetic undercurrent that keeps us watching.
Another endearing aspect of the film is its atmosphere. Postwar Venice is gorgeously rendered, almost ghostlike in its quiet beauty. The supporting cast adds depth without distraction, rounding out a world that feels lived-in yet dreamlike.
Though understated, the film maintains a steady rhythm. It’s a meditative “sleeper” that draws viewers in with mood and character rather than gimmicks and frenetic pacing. And without giving anything away, the ending is pure Hemingway—spare, poignant, and unforgettable.
For those seeking something thoughtful and beautifully composed, Across the River and Into the Trees is a hidden gem well worth discovering.
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