Having read Joe Hyams' book on his friend Humphrey Bogart, I found the film interesting and entertaining, as I am a fan of Old Hollywood bio pics.
Unlike another reviewer noted, I found O'Connor's portrayal spot on and his voice and looks to be remarkably similar to Bogart's. However, Harrold, though attractive, looked and sounded nothing like Lauren Bacall, nor did the scene she re-enacted from "Have and Have Not" contain any of the nuances or appeal of Bacall's impressive debut.
Additionally, while I could not recall what Methot sounded like in the few movies I've seen with her, I thought Wedgeworth looked pretty close in appearance. She also acted exactly like she was portrayed in Hyams' bio too, which was an alcoholic explosive (yet sad) ticking time bomb. You felt sorry for her weakness and ruination of her marriage to Bogart.
The married couple portrayed in the film, Zelma (O'Neal) O'Moore and Patrick O'Moore, were real friends of Bogart's and were also in movies of his time period, and the two actors playing the couple acquitted themselves nicely. Patricia Barry (Zelma) was barely recognizable (except for her voice) after seeing her play a man eater in "Dear Heart" with Glenn Ford.
If you are a long-time TCM viewer, as am I, you have probably seen the director Vincent Sherman interviewed. He must have been a friend of Bogart's too and did a sympathetic portrayal of him. I always thought Sherman seemed like a class act in his interviews and will make an effort to seek out more of his directorial efforts.
Overall, if you are a fan of Humphrey Bogart, you will enjoy this leisurely movie. I do agree with another reviewer that O'Connor's teeth were a tad distracting. Not sure if they were his actual teeth or a mouthpiece to emulate Bogart's mouth. Bogart was definitely more handsome.
Sadly, O'Connor died at 53, an even earlier age than Bogart at 57, both of cancer. RIP gentlemen and God bless.
