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Photo © Miramax Films
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An Unfinished Life
Drama
1 hr.47mins.
September 09(limited)
MPAA: PG-13 for some violence, including domestic abuse; language
Miramax Films
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Starring: Robert Redford, Morgan Freeman, Jennifer Lopez, Becca Gardner
Directed By: Lasse Hallstrom
Produced By: Leslie Hollerin, Kellin Ladd, Alan Ladd jr.
Screenplay By: Mark Spragg and Virginia Korus Spragg
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Reviewed
By: Wellington Lee
Rated 2.9/5
In a Nutshell:Slow paced drama about Wyoming rancher getting over son's death with prodding by his longtime, now disabled and dependent, ranch hand; and surprise grand daughter. Freeman at his Best. Different portrayal/character by Redford.
Feature Review:Swedish Director Lasse Hallstrom turned out memorable children's work in Sweden, before
relocating to the U.S. in the early nineties. "What's eating Gilbert Grape"('93;Johnny Depp)
was a 'coming of age', critic and audience favorite. "..Grape" garnered awards and made a
star
out of unknown Leonardo di Caprio. Hallstrom quickly became sought after, alternating
mainstream romantic comedies(Something to Talk About '95), with the more character driven
adaptation of the
acclaimed "The Cider House Rules".
An Unfinished Life is a remarkable, slow paced, character driven work.
Robert Redford stars as the bitter, recovering alcoholic, Wyoming rancher Einer Gilkyson.
Einer takes care of ranch hand Mitch Bradley(Morgan Freeman), rubbing lotion on his back,
and giving him injections. Screenwriters Spraggs' let us ponder this uncharacteristic
Redford role, until we learn several minutes in, that Mitch is invalided from a Grizzly
attack at the ranch. This drama portrayal is a mini break out performance, for this 68 year
old Indie promulgator(Sundance Festival). He forsakes the trademark wry grin, and the
ponderous,
calculating(The Clearing '04;SpyGame'01)persona. Einer is all business, despite his not
being
able to move past his 21 year old son's car accident death, 12 years earlier.
This was completed before Freeman's "Million Dollar Baby" role, and the parallels are
uncanny. In both movies, Morgan has a near old brother friendship with the white men he
serves. Mitch in "...Life"(like "...$$ Baby"), pesters Einer to move through his grief, as
he himself faces down his fear of that mauling Grizzly.
Einer's daughter in law Jean(Jennifer Lopez), shows up after a dozen years, with her
daughter Griff,(Becca Gardner) by Einer's dead son. She picks up with abusive men, and turns
to
Einer for a place to hide out from the latest, short fused boyfriend Gary(Damian
Lewis:American
Psycho '00). Lopez may be trying to restore her tarnished performances(Gigli)of late. She is
adequate and convincing in her serious scenes, but cannot restrain that(out of character)
ebullience and
cockiness in others.
Newcomer Becca Gardner as daughter/grand daughter Griff, will be one to watch. She is
appropriately nervous and approval seeking, around gruff Einer. Griff is a normal, curious
kid as she questions
Mitch about his Grizzly scars.
Bart the Bear(11) is superbly trained and deployed. Big Bart is the movie's metaphor for
confronting the festering scars of unresolved pain(Einer), and facing the fear of a big,
life hurt(Mitch's mauling). This is a melodrama with Swedish like(Bergman)slow pacing and
obvious metaphors, rather than supercilious dialogue. There is some physical action by
economical, yet quick acting Einer, whether in dealing with the woman beating boyfriend, or
cowboy drunks. A simple tale, whose pacing and obvious symbolism will frustrate many
critics. But this work will open more audiences up to character driven, minimalist dramas,
without
incongruous plot devices, just to perk things up.
Noteworthy cast: veteran supporting actress Camryn Manheim(Dark Water '01 mastered
her western diner waitress(Nina) role with corresponding, immediate screen presence. Solid
production values(lighting) and cinematography(Oliver Stapleton).
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