The Life Before This (1999)

User Rating:

6.2/10   

Director:

Jerry Ciccoritti

Writer:

Semi Chellas (writer)

Genre:

Action | Crime | Drama | Thriller

Tagline:

live each day ... it may be your last.

Plot:

Several innocent bystanders are injured or killed when two robbers, fleeing from the police, run into the neighborhood cafe.

Plot Keywords:

Cafe | Bat | Aspiring Actress | Ethical Crisis | Lawyer

Awards:

1 win

Cast

Catherine O'Hara	...	Sheena
Joe Pantoliano	...	Jake Maclean
Sarah Polley	...	Connie
Stephen Rea	...	Brian
Bernard Behrens	...	Monsieur Farrin
Martha Burns	...	Gwen Maclean
Fab Filippo	...	Michael (as Fabrizio Filippo)
Emily Hampshire	...	Margaret
David Hewlett	...	Nick
Leslie Hope	...	Alice
Joel S. Keller	...	Kevin (as Joel Keller)
Dan Lett	...	Sam
Carl Marotte	...	Stan
Alison Pill	...	Jessica
Callum Keith Rennie	...	Martin Maclean

MPAA:

Rated R for violence and language.

Runtime:

92 min

Country:

Canada

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Certification:

Iceland:12 | Argentina:16 | Australia:MA | USA:R

Filming Locations:

Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Company:

Thump Productions

I watched it until the last credit was done

I was floored by the simple idea that is the basis for this movie, "Some things almost never happen." and how that was acted out in the every day lives of the characters. How the smallest choices that you make -- walking into a restaurant or not, taking a job, having a drink, not answering the phone -- can make such a huge difference in a person's life. I came away from the movie thinking that it isn't always the obviously huge decisions you make in your life that make up who you are...those are important, but so are the decisions that you make every day. The actors and actresses didn't overact -- nothing was overdone or cheesy -- the music was quiet and undramatic. I especially enjoyed Catherine O'Hara's performance -- I could hear people in the audience giggling around me at some of her lines. She is funny, and perfect in this role.

If you want to see a subtle yet flooring and enjoyable movie -- check this out. Don't expect the usual sappy hollywood ending...thankfully this movie has a real ending. Parts of it are laugh out loud funny. I walked out of this movie and immediately said "I have to find this on DVD." I guarantee you'll want to see it again too.