Life Just Is (2012) User Reviews

"Well, that's an hour and a half of my life I won't get back."

[markgorman · 3/10 · 23 June 2012]

Ironically this is the opening line of Alex Barrett's directorial debut "Life Just Is." Ironic, because that was exactly my feelings as I thankfully exited the cinema on the movie's debut at the Edinburgh International Film Festival an hour ago. It's trying to be a Hal Hartleyesque slice of modern London Life. It's trying to reflect the ebb and flow of post University existence amongst a group of token flatmates and pals (a la This Life). I mean really; A black guy, a gay guy, an existentialist "nutter", a pretty posh girl and a Northern Irish lass that doesn't have to confidence to exist and is going to hell and back in a relationship with her new and much older boyfriend. Does that tick enough boxes? I say it's trying to be these things, but all it is trying. It's turgid, tormenting, tumescent tosh.

Really it is.

Pretentious doesn't even begin to describe how, err, pretentious this movie is.

The acting is at times naturalistic but more often than not simply wooden.

The camera work is so slow that on occasions you wonder if you're actually watching the rushes.

There are many scenes of Tom (Nathaniel Martello-White) walking to work so slowly that you wonder if he's actually disabled only to realise he has to walk that slowly so that the dolly can keep up with him.

Avoid this boring self-indulgent claptrap at all costs.

Talky...very, very talky

[planktonrules · 3/10 · 18 February 2015]

A recent trend that seems overused in films is the creation of scripts with groups of people who are friends but have no business being friends in the first place. In other words, when you think about these characters, they simply have nothing in common and are more clichés or formulaic than realistic people. This isn't just true in comedies like the "Hangover" or "Bridesmaids" films but in dramas as well, such as in the new British indie film Life Just Is-- where there are many of the usual formulaic characters (such as the gay character, the black character, etc.) but you keep wondering why they spend time together. And, by the end of the movie, I was still wondering. Why be friends with someone you don't like or someone who treats you terribly?!

This film written and directed by Alex Barrett starts off on an inauspicious note. As four friends are watching some movie, it concludes and one of them says "Well that's an hour and a half of my life I won't get back". Then a couple more friends are soon introduced. Soon after this, you learn that one of their acquaintances has died and the way these mostly 20-somethings respond to this is what makes up the remainder of the film. In many ways, it's a bit like "The Big Chill"...but without the music (in fact, there isn't any and this is very noticeable) or the energy. But it's also much talkier--with folks mostly sitting around talking and talking and talking. This, combined with the low energy make this a difficult film to watch or even finish.

So is the film worth seeing? Probably not unless you are extremely patient. Oddly, I looked through the reviews for this on IMDb and noticed that folks either gave it a 1 or 9 or higher. I wouldn't be nearly as harsh or as glowing and I really do wonder about both sorts of reviews--especially the 9s and 10s. I'd give this one a D+. I certainly wouldn't rush to see it but also saw some promise and hope that the filmmakers and actors use this experience as a springboard to greater things.

Normal is hard to do

[pairofones · 1/10 · 11 December 2012]

I remember when a friend once showed me his completed movie having spent over a £100,000 on it and he was stunned when I pointed out a couple of scenes (the end) that appeared tacked on (i.e. the beginning doesn't lead to any end). He wasn't stunned that I pointed it out, he was stunned that the 35 people who worked on the film never gave any such feedback. My heart goes out to the writer and director of this feature who were probably encouraged by well meaning folks who didn't have the heart to tell them to do another five re-writes before committing so many people to producing a failure. Young film makers like these might want to look at the work of avant-garde theatre or agile software development both who regularly pilot their work in front of audiences way before any commitment has been made in terms of work.

Life Just Is concerns itself with a group of twenty-somethings day to day goings on over a period of a week. Being a film about our existence as it ' just is' any significant plot, conflict, premise or story have no place on here. The title, as printed on your movie ticket, can be completed with whatever comes to mind as actors move from couches to kitchens to bedrooms having chats together. At the surface 'Life as It Is' seems to present the banal in a mundane way. Going deeper, it presents the significant relationships we have with people we know very little about in a mundane way. Beneath that, if one was to plumb the depths one would find a deep lesson in writing.

a long student film

[kobe89 · 1/10 · 21 November 2012]

WOW. This one is up their in my league of the awful ones.. Obviously it has no budget, so I'm not going to criticise the actors or the props.. I'm just going to criticise the fact that this made it to IMDb... I'm flabbergasted. This is basically a REALLY long drawn out STUDENT FILM. If any of you aren't familiar with the 'student film', it's basically a very boring, simple look on life (always life), relationships (always relationships) and a tiny tiny tiny pinch of conflict (not too much to put pressure on the actors!).. Here are the exact ingredients:

•1 annoying looking pretty boy

1 bland looking female 1 gay person (male or female)

1 house (student house will do)

1 camera, a cheap light and shopping trolley to push the camera on.

1 awful scriptwritten on the back of a cereal packet.

Mix together with £50 budget to cover pizzas, 2 days to cover all the scenes and move the lighting around, 2 days to put it on a computer and muddle the scenes around with some free music and an old PC to burn it to disc...

That's it.. student film done. If you're still in any doubt, find this film.

Don't give up your day job

[nick-614-618452 · 1/10 · 7 August 2013]

What a truly woeful film. I think this director should spend a few years learning how to write a proper screenplay. Then spend even more time learning how to direct it. The problem with 'Life Just is' is that nothing actually happens. Is that supposed to be the point?? Some might say this is 'minimalist', non-plot, art film or even 'Bergman-esque', while the majority of the audience are yawning away for ninety minutes. (And yes, that was ninety minutes of my life I can't now get back) The thing is though, Bergman spent many years perfecting his directorial style making more conventional films before even attempting to do something like this. The same with Godard. But this director certainly hasn't and his film doesn't actually say anything. Anyone who thinks it does must list watching paint dry as one of their favourite hobbies.

Oh dear...

[euroGary · 1/10 · 22 August 2013]

The opening scene of 'Life Just is' features four characters watching a film. When it finishes, one of them moans "That's ninety minutes I'll never get back". Like markgorman elsewhere in these reviews, I know how he feels! A group of London twentysomething house-sharers navigate their way through adult life. There's the token black character, the statutory Irish character, the gay character, the non-conformist character in amusing trousers, etc - all the stereotypes present and correct! One of them is having an affair with an older man (he's 34); one is concerned that a strange man he sees on his walk to work might be a terrorist; one is trying to decide whether or not to be religious... all this could be interesting, but is ruined by stilted conversations, lengthy pointless shots of people sitting staring into space or eating breakfast, etc. I hate to be so negative, but this really needed some quality control. Heaven only knows what well-known actor Paul Nicholls is doing in it - I can only assume he lost some sort of bet.

A great debut that shows what can be done on a micro budget

[siobhancallas_britflicks · 9/10 · 21 November 2013]

Life Just Is centres around five friends struggling to make the post university transition into fully fledged adulthood.

It chronicles a week in the life of a group of twenty-somethings as they deal with relationship problems, death, unspoken yet mutual attraction and self-conflicting religious debate. It's a look at the hardships faced in that awkward period where young people are expected to go out into the real world, leave the safety of student life behind and find a job as well as try to discover who they really are.

Director and writer Alex Barrett has achieved something quite different in his debut feature. The wide ranging subject matter within the contained environment of minimal sets is something not often seen in British film. The entirely scripted and conversational style is perhaps not what wider audiences will be used to, but it is tackled thoughtfully with some genuinely interesting ideas. He has created a world which is not necessarily all about complicated story arcs but a glimpse into the lives and minds of its' young characters. Life Just Is is less about discovering the answers and more about pondering the questions.

The differing plot threads throughout the film really come alive during the second half of the feature as they separate and are concentrated on individually. Many of the subjects will ring true to audiences of a certain age, particularly to those who find themselves stuck without any real career prospects despite the hard work and money spent on a university education. The story between Jay (Jayne Wisener) and her older boyfriend Bobby (Paul Nicholls) strikes a familiar pain, as despite Jay's feelings for her new man, she just can't open up to him after being hurt from a previous relationship. Intellectual Pete's (Jack Gordon) desperate conversations with Tom (Nathaniel Martello-White) make up some of the more thought-provoking scenes, as Pete struggles to come to terms with his faith, or his emerging lack there of. The subject of religion and its place in today's society is one less explored in mainstream film, but it is handled effectively and is thankfully much more of an open and existential observation of faith than clichéd or proverbial. Tom also has desires for his long term friend Claire (Fiona Ryan), and each day the connection between them seems to grow, despite the fact that neither of them can bring themselves to admit their feelings in fear of ruining their friendship.

There are some strong performances, especially from Jack Gordon and Nathaniel Martello-White who play Pete and Tom. The direction is with a clear style, made up of interesting camera choices and visually pleasing frames. As with the micro-budget nature not everything in Life Just Is is perfectly executed, but what shines through is the artistic vision of the writer/director Alex Barrett. It captures the aptitudes of both cast and crew and acts as a great showcase of future talent. This type of film-making is not often seen in the UK but it will hopefully be encouraged as to widen our current limited market and bring a little bit of the art house into the mainstream. It will be very exiting to see what comes next after such a unique and interesting debut.

A lovely film

[rosanna-machado · 7/10 · 27 December 2012]

Life Just Is looks at a group of friends in their early 20s and how they cope with what life throws at them.

If you are expecting a fast moving rom com then this is not the film for you but it is a really enjoyable gentle exploration of the characters. There is bound to be at least one character that you relate to. The script is great and there are some very funny lines in it. The party scene is particularly funny.

This is an independent film, made on a tight budget which is a great achievement and the cast are fantastic.

Go with an open mind and I am sure that you will enjoy this!

A triumph of independent British cinema.

[mfetcetal · 9/10 · 19 December 2012]

I went to see this film last week not knowing what to expect and I was pleasantly surprised.

Life Just Is tells the tale of five twenty-somethings who, having recently graduated, struggle to adapt or even understand their new adult lives. Each one has to face a different reality and dilemmas that life throws at them. The dialogue has far more depth than it may seem, as our five protagonists discuss life's great mysteries, as death and religion. Relationships, racism and anxiety are also themes tackled by story, sometimes in subtle strokes that give the film a clever plot. The characters are compelling and easy to identify with, as the cast are packed with talented young actors.

The look may seem simplistic to the untrained eye, but it is clear that Alex Barrett put much thought on the natural light and framing. You can feel the influence of directors as diverse as Mike Leigh and Kevin Smith, as Barrett makes a well structured story seem easy and down to earth. The exploration of one's early adult life is not taken lightly, although the film is filled with some very funny jokes.

Made under a micro budget, it is a triumph of independent British cinema. No wonder it got a Michael Powell nomination for Best British Film. I would definitely recommend it.

A subtle gem

[paranoidhippie · 10/10 · 17 December 2012]

I loved this film, it's intelligent and gently thought-provoking in an understated way. It's all about the characters and most people could find one to connect with, albeit in their youth.

One could say nothing much happens, yet it's never boring, full of genuinely interesting characters and the leisurely development of their friendships and lives.

The highly respected, professional film critic Mark Kermode has recently recommended "Life Just Is" as his DVD of the week on BBC 24. If it's good enough for him to enjoy, discuss and recommend, then I think it's definitely worth watching.

This is an independent UK film, yes it appears to have been made on a low budget but that takes nothing away from the general premise, as it tackles some of life's bigger issues, such as religion and philosophy. A film that you can relax into and simply enjoy for what life really just is, or contemplate the deeper aspects of our so called ordinary lives....it's up to you.

Introspective Look at Modern Adult Life

[shellbyjones-75305 · 9/10 · 14 June 2018]

This film might not be for everyone, but I loved it! It's a bit slow at times but the film couldn't have been more timely in its assessment of modern adult life and the transition from uni to the workforce.

Unexpected moments of recognition

[tisisbahoosh-243-646628 · 8/10 · 18 February 2015]

Sure, Life Just Is might not be for everyone--it's a slow burn kind of film, and takes a few minutes to fully settle into a rhythm. But for viewers with a certain degree of patience and appreciation for narratives that emphasize the emotional, it's a recognizable and rewarding experience.

Life Just Is taps into a particular moment that has been a source of inspiration for a huge number of storytellers--the strange, uncertain time between entering adulthood and fully adjusting to your new position in life. More than the temporal, however, this film focuses on a certain emotional transition that might happen at any time: the period in which one comes to terms with oneself as a flawed and developing human being, and accepts the inevitably of change as a component of growth. There were moments in this film in which I recognized myself without even wanting to. It's a movie that's unafraid of trying something difficult and being earnest. Especially for a viewer who is humble enough to laugh at themselves, Life Just Is provides moments of identification and genuine sweetness.

A peaceful and delightful experience

[elina-street · 8/10 · 27 November 2012]

This was a delightful refreshing experience for me, an hour of peaceful contemplation for which I would not change anything! I happen to have just graduated just like the characters in the film and I feel like I have known them my whole life.

The film was an extremely brave approach for director Alex Barrett who was on such a tight budget for his first ever feature film! It was beautifully shot through the aesthetic of the 7D and the lighting brought extra glamour to the shots and characters. The absence of soundtrack makes it evermore intense and authentic, "Life Just Is" as the title so clearly states!

Very 'French New Wave' with a contemporary young, good-looking and fun cast, mixed with an emotional tone which brought tears (good and bad ones) to the audience.

Do watch!

poignantly beautiful

[jkpawlowski · 8/10 · 30 September 2015]

it took me a little bit to get into the movie, but once I did I really enjoyed it. it does an excellent job of capturing the turmoil of being twenty-something -- the confusion, the struggle to "figure it all out." you really find yourself connecting with the characters in unique ways. the dialogue, while it felt a bit scripted at times, is delivered well by actors who seem more experienced than their ages. Pete in particular did a wonderful job. Each of the characters has their own unique struggle throughout the film -- I find something new to connect with each time I watch it. there's something for everyone in this movie and I will definitely be recommending it to friends. I really enjoyed the symbolism throughout the film -- Pete's and Tom's experiences in particular really struck me.