An Unfinished Life (2005)

not as good as all the hype

Too much about the plot just didn't add up, the writing was bad, some of the scenes were cringey and awkward,

The film creates a perfect balance between action and depth of basic needs, in the midst of an infertile atmosphere.

All of these films share one commonality, that being a kind of emotional center that humanizes a cast of monsters.

It's too bad this movie never really had a big theater presence. I happened to find it on Netflix and was pleasantly surprised. You see J-Lo's name and think "ugh", and then Redford & Freeman "Hello!", but everyone is great in this movie and very believable. First I thought it was only going to be about the Woman & her Daughter running from an abuser, but it turned out to be so much more......an angry man who lost a son, a friend who is stuck in a damaged body, death, life, BEARS (lol!).It's heartfelt, simple, nothing fancy, but really makes you think about wasting time.

Jean Gilkyson (Jennifer Lopez) is on the run with her daughter Griff (Becca Gardner) from her abusive boyfriend Gary Winston (Damian Lewis). She has no where else to turn to except for her estranged former father-in-law Einar Gilkyson (Robert Redford) who still blames her for the death of his son. Einar is taking care of injured Mitch Bradley (Morgan Freeman) from a bear attack. Both Einar and Mitch must come to terms with the past. Crane Curtis (Josh Lucas) is the sheriff in town who falls for Jean.I don't know what happened to the distribution but I certainly don't remember this movie being released. It's got Redford and Freeman. That alone should have been noteworthy. I get why some people dismiss Lopez but she does a really good job in this one. She's a good actress in the right project. This is an emotionally deep movie with great subtle performances from everybody to match. Director Lasse Hallström isn't bringing any flash to this and it can seem slow for some. Redford is just outstanding and his performance deserves to be rewarded.

When I saw this movie listed on the TV schedule I was surprised to see the names of Redford and Freeman starring in a film made nine years ago that I had never heard of. I have long been a fan of both of the actors and figured this can't be all that bad. Well, the two veteran actors play the parts well and Jennifer Lopez is solid in her role as well. The problem for the actors is the story which is so boring and predictable as to be one notch above torture. The plot is spoon fed to the viewer revealing the scope of the story very early in the film. J- Lo as Jean is running away with her daughter from her abusive boyfriend to Einar's (Redford) ranch. Einar's son was killed in an accident in a car that Jean was driving. Freeman as Mitch is Einar's long time ranch hand who has been disabled by a bear mauling while Einar was drunk and unable to save Mitch from the attack. From there the film is about forgiveness. Will Einar forgive Jean? Will Mitch forgive Einar? Will Mitch forgive the bear? If you are still awake as the film progresses the the plot unwinds the story drags on it is very predictable, boring, and slow to the point of comatose. I bet you can guess the rest of this. J-Lo finds a job as waitress in a small town greasy spoon. A new love interest of course and the bad boyfriend comes back and Mitch visits the bear and on and on. It's not like I just don't like this type of story or film. I loved Nobody's Fool with Paul Newman. This has none of the charm, humor, or appeal of that film.I was in the hospital when I saw this film on cable. The doctor came in to explain to me the anesthesia and what to expect and when I'd wake from it and so forth. I thought to myself I don't need it, just leave this movie on I'll be unconscious for hours.

I checked this DVD out in the public library and I am so glad I neither rented or worse bought this star studded BORE.The story line is weak from the get go and the entire movie seems centered around a rouge bear.Why on earth did they not just kill the thing from the get go was the primary mystery of the entire sad and boring excuse for a script.I think this flick shows again just highly paid and famous cast does not a decent movie. I've seen more pointed and moving flicks made by relative unknown casts and low budgets.Sorry, I can't recommend this except to put you to sleep and see what hot pants the primary female character has. I mean here she is abused and running and has to get in the pants of the local sheriff because, as her daughter muttered, " we all need love,"