An Unfinished Life (2005)

User Rating:

7.1/10   

Director:

Lasse Hallström

Writers (WGA):

Mark Spragg (written by) &
Virginia Korus Spragg (written by)

Release Date:

15 September 2005 (Israel)

Genre:

Drama

Tagline:

every secret takes on a life of its own

Plot:

A down on her luck woman, desperate to provide care for her daughter, moves in with her father in-law from whom she is estranged. Through time, they learn to forgive each other and heal old wounds.

Plot Keywords:

Bear | Car Accident | Wyoming | Ranch | Friendship

Awards:

2 wins

Cast

Robert Redford	...	Einar Gilkyson
Jennifer Lopez	...	Jean Gilkyson
Morgan Freeman	...	Mitch Bradley
Josh Lucas	...	Crane Curtis
Damian Lewis	...	Gary Winston
Camryn Manheim	...	Nina
Becca Gardner	...	Griff Gilkyson
Lynda Boyd	...	Kitty
Rob Hayter	...	Deputy
P. Lynn Johnson	...	Shelter Supervisor
Byron Lucas	...	Motorcycle Rider
Trevor Moss	...	Griffin Gilkyson
R. Nelson Brown	...	Kent (as Rnelsonbrown)
Dillard Brinson	...	Gnome Owner
Jason Diablo	...	Customer #1

Also Known As:

Ein ungezähmtes Leben (Germany)

MPAA:

Rated PG-13 for some violence including domestic abuse, and language.

Runtime:

108 min

Country:

Germany | USA

Language:

English

Colour:

Colour

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

DTS | Dolby Digital | SDDS

Certification:

Netherlands:12 | Finland:K-11 | Germany:6 | Singapore:PG | Czech Republic:15 | Switzerland:10 (canton of Geneva) | Switzerland:10 (canton of Vaud) | Argentina:13 | UK:12A | Brazil:12 | Ireland:12A | Hungary:14 | Canada:PG (Ontario) | Philippines:PG-13 (MTRCB) | Iceland:10 | Iceland:12 (video rating) | Portugal:M/12 | USA:PG-13 | Australia:M

Filming Locations:

Ashcroft, British Columbia, Canada

Company:

Miramax Films

Trivia:

Dedicated to Karin Lyberg-Hallström and Britta Olin, Lasse's and Lena's mothers respectively.

Goofs:

Continuity: When Griff takes a sandwich to Mitch he takes a bite off one corner. In the second shot he takes a bite off the other corner. In the third shot it shows only one bite off one corner.

Quotes:

Mitch Bradley: [sees the bear] You. I'm not just gonna lie down here. Just keep going.

Movie Connections:

Features Below (2002)

Soundtrack:

If You Had Called Yesterday

Redford's legacy continues as an observer of "ordinary people"

Robert Redford, Morgan Freeman, and eye candy, J. Lo., along with a delightful young new comer Becca Gardener and a believable story, and you have an honest to goodness story of real people dealing with real life.

Many will see it as a soap opera.

As you look back at the projects Redford has been involved with, you see continuity. He likes to look into the lives of "ordinary people" living simple normal lives. No cheap tricks here. Just an honest story.

Jean Gilkyson, (J. Lo) the young, widowed and down and out of luck daughter-in-law of Einar Gilkyson (Redford) is a battered woman in Iowa. She and her 11 year old daughter Griff escape her abusive boy friend (Lewis) from Iowa and manage to reach the dumpy Wyoming ranch of her once father-in-law. No love is lost between the two as he blames her for the untimely death of his son. (No Spoilers here!) Predictably, there is conflict and drama between the two. Add in the wonderful supporting act of Morgan Freeman as the ailing ranch hand living in a nearby cabin, a bit of romance between J. Lo. and the local sheriff, the appearance, disappearance and reappearance of the abusive boyfriend from Iowa along with the absolutely delightful performance of Becca Gardner whose eyes will mesmerize you and, "Bart the Bear" and you have well spent time and money.

-Enjoy