![]() ![]() One of these is when Einer tells Griff that she has to be kind to all visitors at his house, “unless its some guy lookin to sell his version of God,” he says. There are also statements that encourage anti-Christian sentiment. God’s name is misused in several different ways that account for 20 of these-13 of them precede the word d***. ![]() The f-word is used within 30 seconds of the opening credits, setting the stage for 60 cuss words to follow. Unfortunately, it contains many foul words, sexual innuendos, anti-Christian statements, and other negative elements. With its theme of forgiveness, good acting, and beautiful scenic views, this movie could have been one of the years greatest. Griff, however, shows her need learn to know the grandfather she never knew she had, and Mitch refuses to let his friend hide from those he should care about. When Jean and her daughter show up, sparks begin to fly. Mitch ( Morgan Freeman) was involved in a grizzly bear attack that left him painfully crippled and in need of constant help. Jean had been involved in a car accident that killed her husband (Einers son) ten years before, and he was never able to forgive her for that.Įiner has other problems to deal with as well, taking care of his best friend and previously hired-hand. Their car breaks down irreparably and with funds running low, Jean turns to the only place she can-her father-in-law, Einer Gilkyson ( Robert Redford). She escapes the situation with her daughter, Griff (Becca Gardner). Griff has regrets, pride and opinions, and reminds me of a less precocious, more subdued version of Anna Paquin’s Flora in “The Piano”.“An Unfinished Life” begins with Jean Gilkyson ( Jennifer Lopez) living in a physically abusive relationship. She’s stubborn but almost always surrenders to adults because she has no choice, as all children do. A promising Becca Gardner stands out from other child actors by simple virtue of not being annoyingly cloying or cute. Griff is a crucial link in the chain as she discovers her explosive grandfather, warms up to Mitch and fills in the gap between Jean and Einar that was left by the death of her father. Check out the scene where they’re having lunch with Griff (Becca Gardner), the banter is explicit and obvious but the acting draws out such easy leisure from the two that they’re nothing but a delight to watch.Ĭlearly, this is a movie driven by complex relationships. Regardless of the inevitable “Million Dollar Baby” comparisons (which will be made even less relevant when it’s mentioned that this movie was filmed earlier than Clint Eastwood’s), Redford and Freeman can hold their own, thank you very much. They are cranky and bicker as old friends do the two actors fit into their characters like hands into gloves. The two are loyal and stubborn friends who live for and because of each other, with Einar responsible for taking care of the recently-mauled-by-a-bear Mitch and Mitch keeping Einar’s alcohol tendencies in check. Living on the ranch with Einar is his solitary companion, Mitch. In other words, there is a good chance you will like the movie, but it’s equally likely that you won’t be able to put a finger on it. Yet there is a hesitance in both the storyline and tone that renders the silences slightly more forgettable than poignant. Hallstrom’s impeccable style shines through his signature shots of silent pauses pregnant with meaning, such as the long shots of the sprawling ranch. In all aspects, the movie is too good to be mediocre but not good enough to be exceptional. She is still unable to anchor the film as the lead but fortunately, “An Unfinished Life” has enough pillars in the trio of Robert Redford, Morgan Freeman and director Lasse Hallstrom. ![]() Incidentally so is Lopez, who packs raw energy into the role. When she asks her friend Nina (Camryn Manheim), “Do you think I’m a shitty mother?” Nina’s answer is no, Jean’s doing the best she can. ![]() There is a speech where she reveals her innate inclination for abusive partners and her reasons are affecting. It’s unfair, but deep down Jean blames herself too. The thing is, Einar’s son Griffin was killed in a car accident, and he blames Jean (Jennifer Lopez) for the premature death. With nowhere to go, they return to Wyoming to find her father-in-law, Einar, and old wounds are exposed as each stirs up painful memories of their unfinished lives for the other. Set on a ranch in Ishawooa, Wyoming, “An Unfinished Life” is about an abused widow, Jean, who is fleeing her alcoholic and trigger-happy boyfriend with her daughter Griff in tow. ![]()
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