Rated PG-13 for some violence including domestic abuse, and language.
Directed by Lasse Hallstrom (The Shipping News, Chocolat, The Cider House Rules, Something to Talk About)
Starring Robert Redford, Jennifer Lopez, Morgan Freeman, Josh Lucas and Bart the Bear!
Jonathan’s Score: theatre worthy
This film was refreshing.
Lasse Hallstrom has always been a good film maker. Sometimes his movies are bizarre (Gilbert Grape) or preachy (Chocolat, or Cider House Rules… and most Christians don’t like the message he preached in that film!) But An Unfinished Life is just good storytelling. And how can you go wrong with Morgan Freeman and Robert Redford helping you out.
The story is about a down on her luck woman who is desperate to escape her violent boyfriend and provide care for her daughter. She drives to Wyoming and moves in with her estranged father in-law at his ranch. Through time, they learn to forgive each other and heal old wounds.
If there’s one thing this film is not, it’s cliché. An Unfinished Life is fresh and original. No explosions or car chases… just strong character development and creative dialogue. It breathes elements of a James L. Brooks or Cameron Crowe script.
SHOULD KIDS SEE IT?
Young kids wouldn’t understand it. There is some language and a scene where J Lo implies that she needs sex (the one dead giveaway that a man wrote the script). But I would let my junior high kid watch it with me. The movie has numerous springboards for good discussion.
Conversation Starter
Three Simple Questions (with Answers You May Be Looking for):
- What are some of the messages or themes you observed in this movie?
- How do you suppose we—as serious Christ-followers—should react to this movie?
- How can we move from healthy, Bible-based opinions about this movie to actually living out those opinions?
