An Unfinished Life (2005)

How do we learn how to forgive?

[...]

How do we learn how to forgive? How can I forgive if the person is no longer here? No longer speaking, nowhere near, no grave to visit, no unknown granddaughter to bring us together, no bear which forces us to face our fears. How do we learn to Love?

Love this film, love the soundtrack, the music, the vistas, the views; I have watched it three times in a row right now. If only life could be like
this. How can we do it? Questions remain.

I personally did not like Robert Redford's character. His rage is outstanding, inappropriate and wrong. He is not much different than the young man that took his anger out on Jennifer. He just uses words with women and fists with men. In a normal place, he would be in jail for his behavior. The worst of it is that he isn't even drinking anymore, and his rage and violence remains. It's so "American" to make the hero an angry warmonger. Out of the entire cast and film, this was my only complaint. When Captain Call in Lonesome Dove (Tommy Lee Jones) behaved this way, at least he knew he had overreacted, and felt some sense of shame. Redford shows none. What did he learn about "accidents" and forgiveness and rage? That "the bad guy" still "deserves it?"

I could see Mickey Rourke acting in this part with the ice-cold smoldering anger he carries to his films, but Redford? Never. Didn't like it at all. The day would come all too soon when the daughter-in-law or granddaughter would do "something" to instigate his ire, and then LOOK OUT.

Everything else was fantastic, Freeman (of course), the young grand daughter, and Jennifer Lopez was excellent. She is one of the most underrated actors of her generation.

Great film and important story. Thanks to everyone concerned. Now if I just can just figure out how to do it for myself. "Face my bear" but what is his name? Where is he, except hungry & growling inside of me?


NOTE: Soundtrack by Deborah Lurie is FANTASTIC. I'm on my third "viewing" of the film just to listen to it again, until my CD comes! May 31, 2008

An Unfinished Life

An Unfinished Life is very good and we certainly are enjoying it. Your service was great, much thanks. May 2, 2008

What Chemistry!

Robert Redford and Morgan Freeman directed by Lasse Hallestrom! I saw this movie on cable TV and had to add it to my collection. It was refreshing to see Redford play a country grandfather, though I have NO complaints when (as Tom Brokaw called him) The King of the Golden Boys. My next review, in fact, is The Sting. I am not a big fan of Jennifer Lopez, and her role could have been played by almost anyone. But with Hallestrom's direction, Lopez was palatable. Josh Lucas was a good supporting factor. A very nice surprise was the young girl who plays Lopez's daughter and Redford's granddaughter, Becca Gardner (I believe is her name). She was charming. In the bonus interview, one can really see Hallestrom's great direction, for Becca comments as a very young girl, but in the movie, he brings out a mature performance from her. It is marvelous to see chemistry between two unlikely actors like Robert Redford and Morgan Freeman, but it is there, and one can understand how these two actors have had such long and successful careers (trivia: these two were both in Brubaker). Excellent features, delivery, and condition. April 6, 2008

DON'T MISS THIS-family friendly too

especially if you are looking for a good story, great actors and a story of people who are all recovering from some kinds of wounds or hurts in life. maybe it just was not glitzy or sexy enough for Hollywood. I'd never heard of it until I stumbled across it. (Some blood and wounds depicted but fine for over 9 yrs. old.) March 26, 2008

An Unfinished Life - My favorite movie!

This movie is very moving, entertaining and humorous but is a real tear-jerker. It is definitely a feel good movie. I want to buy this movie for all my friends!An Unfinished Life February 19, 2008

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