An Unfinished Life (PG-13)
Mike:
Scott:
Scott: An Unfinished Life
, is a story about a mother and her daughter on the run from an abusive relationship, going to live with the estranged father-in-law and grandfather.
What'd ya think Mike?
Mike: I liked it. It's not going to be for everybody, and it's not our typical kind of movie, but I thought it was a good drama.
Scott: It's not that I thought it was a bad movie, I just didn't think it was a good movie. I kept thinking it would be a good movie to take a nap to. Very quiet, long, and mostly boring.
Mike: I know some people will think it's boring, but I don't mind if not a lot happens in a movie, if there is something good about it.
I loved the acting, the cinematography and the score. The story definitely made me think of a book being made into a movie. In fact, it was written by the guy who wrote the novel it is based on.
Scott: The scenery was awesome. There were nice long views of 'untamed' wild.
Mike: The scenery was great. It's hard not to make the wide open spaces and mountains look good, but I thought the actual photography was something special.
Scott: The music was understated, smooth in the background, so that was nice.
Mike: The composer is not anybody I know, but I thought the music matched the tone of the film.
Scott: I wasn't sure what to think about this movie coming in. I hadn't seen any previews. I see all of these movies; I have no idea how I see so few previews.
Mike: I'll tell you that I went into the movie wanting to like it, because I really loved Cider%20House%20Rules&tag=wwwrichmond09-20&index=dvd&linkCode=ur2&camp=1789&creative=9325' target='_blank' id='movie'>Cider House Rules
and Chocolat&tag=wwwrichmond09-20&index=dvd&linkCode=ur2&camp=1789&creative=9325' target='_blank' id='movie'>Chocolat by Director Lasse Hallstrom. The other thing about the movie is it has a very talented cast.
Scott: Yes, there were some big names in this movie; Robert Redford played Einar Gilkyson the father-in-law of Jean Gilkyson (Jennifer Lopez) and grandfather to Griff Gilkyson (Becca Gardner). His the lifetime friend and farmhand Mitch is played by Morgan Freeman.
Mike: I think that Redford and Freeman were a great team of grumpy old men.
Scott: I like Freeman a lot, he played his role well.
Mike: It's funny, because they reminded me a bit of Freeman and Clint Eastwood in Million%20Dollar%20Baby&tag=wwwrichmond09-20&index=dvd&linkCode=ur2&camp=1789&creative=9325' target='_blank' id='movie'>Million Dollar Baby. In both movies Freeman is the optimistic old guy who is faithful to the lead, who is a grumpy old so and so.
Even the idea of the lead having to take on a daughter figure, after fighting against it from the very beginning, is similar in both movies.
Scott: We have all of these actors that I grew up with as leading men, now they are getting old and moving into more 'senior' roles. It's really strange to see that happen.
Mike: Well, I think of both Redford and Freeman as actors who can pretty much do no wrong. Even their bad roles are better than other people's decent roles.
Scott: Yes, this movie would probably have been much worse with lesser actors. What did you think of J. Lo?
Mike: I think she held her own. I have been impressed with her in Out%20of%20Sight&tag=wwwrichmond09-20&index=dvd&linkCode=ur2&camp=1789&creative=9325' target='_blank' id='movie'>Out of Sight, Monster-in-Law&tag=wwwrichmond09-20&index=dvd&linkCode=ur2&camp=1789&creative=9325' target='_blank' id='movie'>Monster-in-Law and this. I think my problem with her is she has all this hype surrounding her. It turns me off. I think she is actually a pretty good actress.
How about you?
Scott: The scenes with her and her daughter were a bit off, but the rest was ok. She just didn't connect with her daughter like she was her own. She may be better in comedies at this time.
Mike: I think that was more due to the script than her.
The focus was more on the relationship between the grandfather and granddaughter, than mother and daughter.
Scott: Very true, it's about the grandfather coming to terms with his life, understanding that life happens and moving on.
Mike: Yes, Redford's character is definitely the focus of the movie. And he is very believable as an old cowboy.
Scott: I'm not sure, but he may have played a cowboy in a previous movie or two... He looked very natural on a horse.
Mike: I hope you are kidding…..
Scott: Of course I am.
Mike: I think many may feel that the story is predictable, but I don't know that predictable is always bad. Sometimes it's comforting.
Scott: Not every movie can be original, but this movie could have been shorter. It was too long for what it was.
Mike: I'll give you that. It could have been shorter.
Scott: There were a few funny parts in the movie. Not so much laughing-out-loud type stuff, but more smiling type humor.
Mike: Everybody in this movie is having a rough life, but you know in the end its going to turn out all right. When I say everybody, I mean everybody. Even the other waitress, Camryn Manheim, who only has a few scenes, has her own tragedy.
Scott: The movie is like a country song... 'My dog got shot, my wife left me, but I got a beer, and I'll make it here'.
Mike: Uh...okay. What country music are you listening to?
Scott: On that note (pun intended), what did you think?
Mike: I give it a 3 out of 5 overall and 3 out of 5 for drama.
And you?
Scott: I give it a 2 out of 5 overall and a 1.5 out of 5 for drama. It just never grabbed me and pulled me in. I think you should wait and see this on DVD.
Mike: I think if you like drama, go out and see it at the theater. If you need a lot of action, or fast paced movies, then this is not for you.
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