An Unfinished Life
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Movie Reviews of An Unfinished Life
Movie Review: Oscar Worthy Performances
Summary: 5 Stars
Finally, we have another contender for the coveted Academy Awards Ceremony. I was starting to think that Rusell Crowe, Renee Zellwegger, and Paul Giamatti, were going to be the only runners for the award. For there pure performancs in Cinderella Man but low and behold from the shelves of Mirimax, An Unfinished Life comes before us. I must say in all the movies that I have seen Robert Redford in, this is by far his grittiest and most heart wrenching one of all. He is right on as an old drunkard down and out on life not wanting anything but to relax in the mountains with his best friend (played by Academy Award Winner Morgan Freeman) and drink beers. I must say Morgan always fits those soft spoken calm roles of support. Its as if I'm reliving his OUTSTANDING role in Million Dollar Baby. Great choice of actor in this film. From there we have Jennifer Lopez who I feel doesn't get enough credit for her acting. In my mind she gives her BEST PERFORMANCE since Angel Eyes which should of garnered her an Oscar Nomination at least. But during that time I don't think people took her seriously as an actress and maybe they still don't... but I'm sure when those certain people see this film they will have other opinions on her. Jennifer fits the rugged backdrop of the movie so well with the scar on her face from her ex-husband and the southern accent that she speaks with something I didn't even think Jennifer could pull off. She plays the depressed soul looking for acceptance and love to a PERFECTION and the little girl who plays her daughter is hilarious and could be the next Dakota Fanning. All in all the movie I give 4 stars but the acting deserves a star of its own.
I wouldn't be suprised if:
Robert Redford won Best Actor.
Jennifer Lopez won Best Actress.
Morgan Freeman Nominated Best Supporting Actor.
Don't take my word for it... go see for yourself!
Movie Review: The weight of the blame
Summary: 5 Stars
Lasse Halstrom is one of the most talented and fine directors in the world. He is gifted with that prodigious ability to recreate with unerring images what often is unsaid. His inspired photography is always under narrative speech and never abuses of it. Every little frame has its own specific weight; the close ups are expressive and detail with impressive plasticity those expressive grimaces that complement the story.
In the purest tradition of the great masters of the cinema, he is deeply engaged with the human relationships; and how the redemption appears not as a heaven' s delivery, but as product of the circumstances.
J Lo is a very alluring young widow, who decides to leave his couple due the poor human condition of this unscrupulous and miserable man; a looser who likes to hit her: She leaves him and goes to Wyoming in order to gather with his father in law, who is still resented with her, absolutely convinced she was the only guilty in that fatidic car accident. Additionally the impressive presence of the formidable actor Morgan Freeman, who really steals the show with this secondary role is a serious wounded man by the ferocious attack of a bear, who needs daily to be injected with a quotidian doses of morphine sulfate to mask his pain.
When J Lo visits his father in law with her daughter, a curious but effective relationship between grandfather and granddaughter will arouse that eventually will transform that irrational rage into best intentions.
Thanks to filmmakers as Halstrom, Szabo or Minghella we may testify there is a lot of stories to tell without the febrile necessity to use visual effects to engage the great audiences.
The final aerial sequence is a true visual poem.
Movie Review: An Unfinished Life ...
Summary: 5 Stars
~ Years before, Gill Gilkyson and her husband flip a quarter to see who will drive through the night in order to avoid a much needed rest stop. Tragedy strikes and Gill [Jennifer Lopez] is left alone and pregnant, and disowned by her father-in-law, Einar Gilkyson [Robert Redford]. Life for Gill has since been spent living with abusive husbands until one day she finds the courage to leave the latest, Gary Wilson [Damian Lewis] and return to Wyoming and Einar's ranch. Einer has since been looking after his life-long friend Mitch [Morgan Freeman], who was mauled by a bear and is now left crippled for life. Here begins the troubled story of three characters, each attempting to deal with their troubled pasts. Can Einar forgive his daughter-in-law for an accident that occured so long ago, accept that life is not always fair and, most importantly, accept Gill and his new-found grandaughter into his life? Can Gill face her own demons and become a responsible mother? And, after years of healing, will Mitch once more confront and forgive the animal who crippled him? ~
Based on the terrific novel by Mark Spragg and set in the backdrop of rural Wyoming, director Lasse Hallstrom [What's Eating Gilbert Grape; Chocolat] has hit the mark once again with this tense and heartbreaking drama. There are outstanding performances from all the cast, most notably the ill-tempered Redford and the world-weary Freeman, who share a simultaneously tragic and amusing relationship --- and the scenery is stunning. The film maintains an optimistic feel despite the tragedies that have occured and the viewer is kept secretly hoping that a happy conclusion is achievable.
Movie Review: A Wonderful Surprise
Summary: 5 Stars
My wife came home with a rented DVD tonight; although I pride myself on trying to keep up with the latest films--what's good, what's not, etc., I had never even *heard* of this film. But I looked at the cast: Redford, Freeman (who is *always* good!), J Lo (yawn--but I was surprised!), etc., I thought "OK, I'll watch".
I was hooked with the opening scene, as a Grizzly Bear wanders through the Wyoming landscape; then, it took a little while for the film to get going, but then it started "clicking". What makes this film work on so many levels is the brilliant acting of Robert Redford (his finest in *years*--he should have been nominated for an Oscar for this one), Morgan Freeman (again, as always), and even J Lo turns in a credible performance. The little girl is very believable, as well.
The film's themes of the importance of family, forgiveness, redemption, etc are handled very well. And all of this against an absolutely gorgeous Wyoming background which was mesmerizing on my Widescreen TV!
This film was HIGHLY satisfying, and I'm going to order it ASAP. Get this and watch it with your family; you won't be sorry.
Movie Review: "THAT'S what your love feels like!"
Summary: 5 Stars
"An Unfinished Life" is the inscription on 21-year old Griffin's tombstone. He died in a car accident and the driver was his pregnant wife Jean (Jennifer Lopez). Ten years later, Jean is trying to raise their daughter but is being abused by her boyfriend, Gary. She runs to her father-in-law (Robert Redford), a bitter old cowboy who lives on a ranch in Montana where he cares for his only friend (Morgan Freeman). He has never forgiven Jean for his son's death, but grudgingly lets them stay with him. Meanwhile, Gary is searching for Jean and is getting closer.
This little movie is really a gem. It's quiet, slow, and gentle, and the actors are wonderful. Redford looks the part of the beaten-up old man consumed by hatred and grief. Lopez is also good, and Freeman gives his usual stellar performance. The mountain setting is breathtaking and serene, and there is a nice subplot involving Freeman and a grizzly bear that is quite touching. I'm surprised this movie didn't reach a larger audience when it was released. It's a thoughtful look at people who need to forgive, be forgiven, and find meaning in their lives. Heartily recommended.