An Unfinished Life
I don't know for sure, but I bet this film was presented at the Sundance Film Festival, because it has Robert Redford, it was about a Montana rancher, and it has that 'Indie' film quality to it.
This is a slice-o-life movie about a woman, her daughter, and the late-husband's father reuniting and finding themselves in a far away place.
JLo plays a widow who is involved with a man who beats her. She has a 10 year-old daughter and nothing else. To get away she runs to Montana to live with her dead husband's father, Robert Redford. It seems that he did not know he was a grandfather. Living with Redford is a crippled ranch hand played by Morgan Freeman. He was mailed by a bear and Redford is caring for him as if he was his brother. So, the in-laws move in, everyone is resentful, and Morgan is there to bring wisdom to all.
Sure enough, the bully boyfriend shows up, but JLo has made nice with the local sheriff. Of course this does not deter the villain and Redford finally has the last say, using typical Montanan methods to drive the woman-beater away.
As formulaic, saccharine, chick flicks go, this is pretty drab. No one gets killed or badly maimed. There is the sub-text of the roaming bear that nailed Freeman and his return and capture. The simile of forgiveness and freedom should be obvious to any man watching.
I give this film 2 1/2 stars (out of five). There is some reasonable plot and dialog between the grandfather and the granddaughter, and the part where they emancipate the bear is interesting. However, there are no real acting standouts because the characters are not that interesting.
I also must say that I saw this film on an airplane. (Seem to be doing that a lot lately, don't I?) So if any language was contained in the original release or on the DVD, I missed it. Plus, there is not anything to talk about that would spoil the obvious plot line.
But, if this is the type of film that these fine actors are going to close their careers with, then they may just as well call it quits right now.
I'm sorry that this is not a nominee for any awards, but at 35,000 feet, you watch whatever they are showin'.
This is a slice-o-life movie about a woman, her daughter, and the late-husband's father reuniting and finding themselves in a far away place.
JLo plays a widow who is involved with a man who beats her. She has a 10 year-old daughter and nothing else. To get away she runs to Montana to live with her dead husband's father, Robert Redford. It seems that he did not know he was a grandfather. Living with Redford is a crippled ranch hand played by Morgan Freeman. He was mailed by a bear and Redford is caring for him as if he was his brother. So, the in-laws move in, everyone is resentful, and Morgan is there to bring wisdom to all.
Sure enough, the bully boyfriend shows up, but JLo has made nice with the local sheriff. Of course this does not deter the villain and Redford finally has the last say, using typical Montanan methods to drive the woman-beater away.
As formulaic, saccharine, chick flicks go, this is pretty drab. No one gets killed or badly maimed. There is the sub-text of the roaming bear that nailed Freeman and his return and capture. The simile of forgiveness and freedom should be obvious to any man watching.
I give this film 2 1/2 stars (out of five). There is some reasonable plot and dialog between the grandfather and the granddaughter, and the part where they emancipate the bear is interesting. However, there are no real acting standouts because the characters are not that interesting.
I also must say that I saw this film on an airplane. (Seem to be doing that a lot lately, don't I?) So if any language was contained in the original release or on the DVD, I missed it. Plus, there is not anything to talk about that would spoil the obvious plot line.
But, if this is the type of film that these fine actors are going to close their careers with, then they may just as well call it quits right now.
I'm sorry that this is not a nominee for any awards, but at 35,000 feet, you watch whatever they are showin'.
posted by Mr. Don at
2:25 PM
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