Actors give meaning to ‘Life’

Leaving the theater after watching “An Unfinished Life” (rated

PG-13), I jokingly said to my wife, “The problem with that film is

that it had no sex, gratuitous violence, car chases or special

effects.”

So, if that kind of movie is what you enjoy, read no further and

choose something else.

However, if you’re the type who wants to see a film that is

well-written with superb acting, and has to survive on plot and

character, this is one for you.

Jean (Jennifer Lopez) realizes she and her daughter, Griff (Becca

Gardner), need to leave her abusive boyfriend, but don’t know where

to go.

With little money and fewer options, they head to Wyoming to

temporarily stay with Einar (Robert Redford), the grandfather Griff

never knew existed.

Einar lives outside a small town with Mitch (Morgan Freeman), his

longtime ranch hand who suffered a tragic accident.

Einar is cranky and bitter, blaming Jean for the death of his son.

When he says, “Forgiving isn’t easy for me,” that sums him up.

Most of them are trying to move beyond painful memories, with

Einar being the exception because he can’t let go of the past. When

Mitch tries to jolt him by confronting him with, “I’ve tried to keep

living and you haven’t,” Einar begins to hear the wake up call he

desperately needs.

The writing (by Mark Spragg, who adapted his novel) provides a

solid foundation, resulting in characters with depth and first rate

acting.

It can be difficult to remember that before “J-Lo” was a pop

diva-celebrity designer-media star, there was a good actress named

Jennifer Lopez, who shows true dramatic talent here as a mother with

lots of emotional baggage who is trying to do the right thing, but

not always making the best decisions.

Gardner as her daughter is great as a confused kid with no

foundation in her life who needs some stability, and is both smart

enough and brave enough to know where to look for it.

Redford and Freeman are both excellent, with Freeman being the

moral center of the film.

His character is the one who is able to see beyond the

circumstances that could have destroyed him, but knows the best way

to enjoy one’s life is to retain your optimism, difficult as it may

be.

I can’t leave out a quick mention of the bear. This is one of

those movies where an animal is a metaphor for several emotions of

the main characters.

Credit must be given to Lasse Hallstrom, whose career penchant for

directing excellent films is realized once again.

His touch on all aspects brings the elements together, and the

result is completely satisfying.

For all the reasons previously mentioned, go see this film.

REEL FACTOID

“An Unfinished Life” is set in the rugged ranchlands of Wyoming,

but was actually filmed in Kamloops, British Columbia.

* PHILLIP HAIN is a movie lover who lives in Glendale.