The Whole Wide World probably ranks as one of the more remarkable 'Lovecraftian' films in that it stars Renee Zellweger (in an early, pre-A-list role), and the marvellous Vincent D'Onofrio (currently appearing on our screens as Kingpin in Daredevil) as Novalyne Price and Robert E. Howard in this adaptation of Price's autobiographical account of her friendship (and almost-romance) with Howard during the final years of his life. Both Zellweger and D'Onofrio shine in this touching and bittersweet biopic - although I just can't imagine anyone better to play Howard with the exact degree of socially-inept friendliness and occasional paranoiac-menace required of the role than D'Onofrio. And, whilst not strictly speaking 'Lovecraftian', Lovecraft nonetheless gets a mention.
I watch this film all too rarely as, frankly, I find the closing scenes absolutely heartbreaking - such that I am invariably reduced to a blubbering mess by the closing credits.
'All fled, all done, so lift me on the pyre;
The feast is over and the lamps expire.'
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