An Unfinished Life - movie review

It has been sitting on a shelf at a studio for almost two years waiting for the "right" time to be put on the market. Perhaps the studio was waiting for the media hurricane that is JLo to dissipate before it released the film. So now that all her private business is finished, we get An Unfinished Life to enjoy.

The film is a collection of life stories that have stalled. Revolving around the angry Einer (played by Robert Redford) we are treated to three intertwined histories that need to be reconnected for their futures to begin. Redford is his usual exceptional self. There is a reason the man is a screen legend. He has such a powerful presence and his grizzled visage is perfect for a man who (he believes) has lost everything. His low, judging tone delivers every word with meaning and makes his journey back to life a believable one. Morgan Freeman plays his best-friend - ravaged by an unfortunate attack - who sees everything with a clarity the others have forgotten. If Redford is pessimism incarnate - it is Freeman who offers the counter balance. It doesn't get much better than the exchanges between the two.

And then there is Jennifer Lopez. Taking on another battered-woman role, Lopez delivers a solid performance here. The subdued nature of the film constrains any cheesiness she may have delivered and she holds her own against the men. The role, sadly, is a thankless one that could have delivered by any actress - but it's nice to see Lopez away from the fluff. The supporting cast includes an exceptional Camryn Manheim; a beautiful (oh my god he's stunning!) Josh Lucas who obviously took the bit-part role to get some facetime with Redford; a sleaze-oozing Damian Lewis; and another (Alison Lohman-style) ingenue named Becca Gardner who is passable but hardly a standout.

Unfinished is a Lasse Halstrom affair and it shows. The man who brought us Chocolat, The Cider House Rules, What's Eating Gilbert Grape, and The Shipping News is a master of building the deliberate atmosphere's of small towns. This offering is no acception as the the sun-drenched mountain valley of Wyoming (actually BC) is developed as a character unto itself. As well, the script carries relevant references (the Stampede) and moments (Redford & Freeman's characters play crib together) to convincingly capture the western lifestyle. The one complaint is the bear theme that is shoved SO strongly down one's throat as to make one scream "enough!" This admission that the audience may not be bright enough to understand the device is insulting an the film would be better served if this element had been employed on the subtle side.

Overall, Unfinished is well-served by its delayed release. It is a solid journey into the lives of its characters. It moves slow like the sun across the hills and as it reaches into the shadows it reveals warmth and opportunity.