An Unfinished Life
Lasse Hallstrom (CHOCOLAT, CIDER HOUSE RULES) directs an all-star cast in this melancholy tale of bitterness and redemption, played out against the beautiful backdrop of rural Wyoming. Jean Gilkyson (Jennifer Lopez) is a single mom on the run from her abusive boyfriend, Gary (Damian Lewis). With nowhere else to go, she and her young daughter, Griff (Becca Gardner), travel to the ranch owned by Jeans father-in-law, Einar (Robert Redford). Jean and Einar have been estranged since the accidental death of Griffin, Einars son, which he has always blamed on Jean. A crusty old cowboy, Einar lives a rustic existence -working his land, minding his own business, and getting into the occasional noble fistfight on his trips into town. He follows a strict routine that involves paying daily visits to his sons grave and caring for Mitch (Morgan Freeman, BATMAN BEGINS), a ranch hand who has been bedridden since being mauled by a bear a year ago. But when Jean shows up with a granddaughter he never even knew he had, Einars world begins to change, and old wounds begin, reluctantly, to heal. Meanwhile, Jean gets a job working at the local diner, Gary comes looking for her, and her dalliance with the handsome police chief, Crane (Josh Lucas), just might blossom into something more. But none of them can move on with their lives until Mitch confronts the beast that came close to destroying him.
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Critic's review of An Unfinished Life
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After a good two years on the shelf, the last and least of Lasse HallstrÃmâs four-film association with Miramax...
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49703
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- Trevor Johnston
- Time Out
- 04 Nov 2008 at 00:20
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Most helpful member's review of An Unfinished Life
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This is a truly delightful film. The acting is very strong all round, as is the story. The plot follows Jean Gilkyson (Jennifer Lopez) and her daughter, who ...
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Most recent members' reviews of An Unfinished Life
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A marvellous touching story brought to life under the direction of Lasse Hallstrom deserves to be ranked high in the list of all time favourites. Robert Redford...
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- Burnhamite
- 238 reviews
- BURNHAM
- 02 Nov 2011 at 09:25
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It was hard not to enjoy this movie, good casting with Redford/Freeman side by side, and with Lopez thrown in to the mix it actually made for a strong - perhaps...
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I always enjoy Morgan Freeman and Redford and this film is no exception. I think my only criticism may be that it's a little predictable but as it is well ...
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1019000
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- a customer
- 18 Jul 2011 at 22:37
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