Pairing up Morgan Freeman with a popular and respected A-list actor (like Jessica Tandy in "Driving Miss Daisy," Tim Robbins in "Shawshank Redemption," Brad Pitt in "Se7en," and Clint Eastwood in "Million Dollar Baby") and having him serve as the "Jiminy Cricket conscience" of the duo has worked wonders over the past three decades. Would casting Freeman alongside Robert Redford in "An Unfinished Life" repeat that magic and elevate the film as a cut above? The jury was split on this one, as evidenced by the reception (mostly positive) to the film last evening at CineVerse. Here's a recap:
HOW DOES THIS MOVIE RISE ABOVE THE TRAPPINGS OF A TYPICAL
PAINT-BY-NUMBERS, OVER-SENTIMENTAL MELODRAMA – OR DOES IT FIT THAT DESCRIPTION?
- You can make a case that the story is fairly predictable: Redford’s crusty old codger simply has to thaw once he gets to know his granddaughter better; Jean will almost certainly escape the clutches of her abusive boyfriend somehow; and Mitch is destined to either find healing and peace or die an inspirational death.
- Yet, the solid casting of beloved veterans like Redford and Freeman ensure that this picture will be a cut above the norm, based on sheer acting talents alone.
- Redford, in particular, is memorable here, as he is freed from the shackles of having to be the romantic lead.
- On the other hand, many critics found fault with the casting of Jennifer Lopez in her role, feeling that she isn’t up to par with Freeman and Redford.
- Also, the way the bear subplot is resolved could take many viewers by surprise, especially those who expected the bear to be shot down or to maul someone else.
WHAT IS THE TITLE OF THE FILM – AN UNFINISHED LIFE – REFERRING TO, AND YOU FEEL THIS IS A FITTING TITLE?
- It could be referring to Einar’s dead son and the fact that there are unresolved threads and unfinished business left behind after his passing.
- Consider that Einer’s granddaughter, who he didn’t know existed previously, could represent the unfinished part of the dead son’s life – she continues his story by continuing the family lineage.
- Or, it could be referencing the father, who has unfinished business of his own before dies – namely, making peace with his daughter-in-law and overcoming his bitterness.
MORALS AND MESSAGES WOVEN INTO AN UNFINISHED LIFE:
- The power of forgiveness and redemption
- The unpredictability of predators and the damage they can inflict – think of both the abusive boyfriend and the bear
- Recovering from grief and overcoming bitterness
- Blood is thicker than water, and family is forever
- Don’t cage up your rage: Like the bear, you have to let go of your bottled-up anger.
WHAT METAPHORS ARE EMPLOYED IN THIS FILM?
- The bear = anger/raw emotion
- Teaching/entrusting the granddaughter to drive and forgiving her accidental hitting of the gearshift = Einar forgiving his daughter-in-law and accepting that his son’s death was an accident
- The treehouse = Einar’s family tree; at first he tells his granddaughter to get down from there (suggesting she doesn’t belong and isn’t part of his family), but later he tells her to stay there
- Honey on the meat = treating others with kindness can be a lot more successful
OTHER MOVIES THAT AN UNFINISHED LIFE REMINDS US OF:
- Ulee’s Gold
- Million Dollar Baby and Unforgiven – two films by Clint Eastwood featuring Eastwood playing a grizzled older character paired with Morgan Freeman
- Films in which respected actors, previously considered handsome romantic leads, aren’t afraid to show their warts and all older sides, such as Paul Newman and Nobody’s Full, Michael Douglas in Wonder Boys, and Jack Nicholson in About Schmidt
- On Golden Pond
- The Horse Whisperer, directed by Redford
- Rabbit Hole
- Still Walking
- Moonlight Mile
- Journey
OTHER FILMS DIRECTED BY LASSE HALLSTROM:
- What’s Eating Gilbert Grape
- Chocolat
- The Cider House Rules
- My Life As a Dog
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