An Unfinished Life (2005)

Director:

Lasse Hallström

Writers (WGA):

Mark Spragg (written by) &
Virginia Korus Spragg (written by)

Release Date:

15 September 2005 (Israel)

Genre:

Drama

Tagline:

every secret takes on a life of its own

Plot:

A down on her luck woman, desperate to provide care for her daughter, moves in with her father in-law from whom she is estranged. Through time, they learn to forgive each other and heal old wounds.

Plot Keywords:

Bear | Car Accident | Wyoming | Ranch | Friendship

Awards:

2 wins

Cast

Robert Redford	...	Einar Gilkyson
Jennifer Lopez	...	Jean Gilkyson
Morgan Freeman	...	Mitch Bradley
Josh Lucas	...	Crane Curtis
Damian Lewis	...	Gary Winston
Camryn Manheim	...	Nina
Becca Gardner	...	Griff Gilkyson
Lynda Boyd	...	Kitty
Rob Hayter	...	Deputy
P. Lynn Johnson	...	Shelter Supervisor
Byron Lucas	...	Motorcycle Rider
Trevor Moss	...	Griffin Gilkyson
R. Nelson Brown	...	Kent (as Rnelsonbrown)
Dillard Brinson	...	Gnome Owner
Jason Diablo	...	Customer #1

Also Known As:

Ein ungezähmtes Leben (Germany)

MPAA:

Rated PG-13 for some violence including domestic abuse, and language.

Runtime:

108 min

Country:

Germany | USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

DTS | Dolby Digital | SDDS

Certification:

Netherlands:12 | Finland:K-11 | Germany:6 | Singapore:PG | Czech Republic:15 | Switzerland:10 (canton of Vaud) | Switzerland:10 (canton of Geneva) | Argentina:13 | UK:12A | Brazil:12 | Ireland:12A | Hungary:14 | Canada:PG (Ontario) | Philippines:PG-13 (MTRCB) | Iceland:10 | Iceland:12 (video rating) | Portugal:M/12 | USA:PG-13 | Australia:M

Filming Locations:

Ashcroft, British Columbia, Canada

Company:

Miramax Films

Trivia:

Dedicated to Karin Lyberg-Hallström and Britta Olin, Lasse's and Lena's mothers respectively.

Goofs:

Continuity: In the very next scene it is dark and Jean and Griff are asleep. Jean hears the motorcycle and yells at him. He tells her that the car is done for and offers to take them to South Dakota. Jean tells Griff to just take what she needs, and it shows them filling up her backpack. As the motorcycle rides away leaving them at probably a bus stop, they now have many large bags of clothes with them.

Quotes:

Einar Gilkyson: Anything else you need?
Mitch Bradley: Yeah, look in on the bear.
Einar Gilkyson: What?
Mitch Bradley: Check in on the bear.
Einar Gilkyson: Check in on the...? Why the hell would I do that?
Mitch Bradley: 'Cause I asked you to.

Movie Connections:

Features Below (2002)

Soundtrack:

If You Had Called Yesterday

Redford's finest hour

Some films are able to capture subtleties in a pretty straightforward manner, and this is one of them. With the very capable support of Morgan Freeman, a quite good Jennifer Lopez, and masterful work by Robert Redford, we're treated to a special film, a study of family relationships where things don't appear contrived or staged.

People carry grudges and live with demons for many years; some are unable to even get rid of them. That's the case of Redford's character. Without a way to release himself, he has managed to create a pretty miserable existence for himself. The only redeeming moment arising from the relationship with his best friend.

Things are bound to change with the arrival of his daughter-in-law and the granddaughter he never knew existed. The drama unfolds quite nicely and our hearts are touched along the way. It's a quiet movie, full of lovely vistas and some intense drama. It doesn't pack the punch of "Million Dollar Baby", a film which it's bound to recall because of the Freeman's character dynamics. Give yourself a treat and enjoy Redford in the comeback film of his career.