An Unfinished Life (2005)

53% of critics liked it
(140 reviews)
65% of users liked it
(59,607 ratings)

Two generations of a damaged family are brought together in this emotional drama. Einar Gilkyson (Robert Redford) was a once successful rancher whose spread went to seed after he developed a serious drinking problem. Now on the wagon, Einar looks after what's left of his spread with his friend Mitch… More Two generations of a damaged family are brought together in this emotional drama. Einar Gilkyson (Robert Redford) was a once successful rancher whose spread went to seed after he developed a serious drinking problem. Now on the wagon, Einar looks after what's left of his spread with his friend Mitch (Morgan Freeman), a one-time cowhand who never fully recovered after being mauled by a bear. Einar once had a son named Griffin, but he died in a car wreck while Griffin's wife, Jean (Jennifer Lopez), was driving; Einar never forgave her for the death, and he had never met the granddaughter she was carrying until she arrived at his doorstep 11 years later. Jean has become involved with a violent man named Gary (Damian Lewis), and seeks refuge on Einar's ranch for the safety of her daughter, Griff (Becca Gardner). Einar reluctantly takes in Jean and Griff, giving them a place to stay as Jean looks for work and tries to put her life back together. But old trouble makes its way back to town in two ways -- Gary tracks down Jean and wants to make her pay for leaving him, while the bear who attacked Mitch comes down from the mountains looking for new prey. An Unfinished Life was adapted from the novel of the same name by Mark Spragg. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

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Rating, Runtime: PG-13, 1 hr. 47 min.
Directed By: Lasse Hallström
Written By: Mark Spragg
Genres: Drama

In Theaters: Sep 9, 2005 Wide
On DVD: Apr 11, 2006
Studio: Miramax Films

Critic Reviews

Peter Howell, Toronto Star
The picture has no discernible reason for being. It's impossible to identify with characters who seem so fond of their own misery, they can't be bothered to communicate even the most basic facts about themselves.
Liam Lacey, Globe and Mail
By the conclusion, the movie turns into the ursine answer to Free Willy, veering dangerously close to New Age parody.
(CNN.com) Paul Clinton, CNN.com
Manages to be both moving and poignant largely because of the superb acting, cinematography and direction.
Stephanie Zacharek, Salon.com
The picture is outrageously predictable and somewhat poky, but there's also something admirably bold about the way it so adamantly demands we swallow its hokum.
Peter Travers, Rolling Stone
Redford and Freeman have a relaxed rapport -- watch their expressions when Griff asks them if they're gay -- but the script keeps giving them unspeakable lines to utter.
Mick LaSalle, San Francisco Chronicle
The grizzly may have mauled Mitch, but by the end, that metaphor has mauled us.
Felix Vasquez Jr., Cinema Crazed
Sure, it's a glorified Hallmark movie with a great cast, but in spite of it all, An Unfinished Life struck a chord with me.
Cynthia Fuchs, Common Sense Media
Sentimental drama; not likely to interest kids.
Kam Williams, Princeton Town Topics
A modern-day Western from Lasse Hallstrom which doesn't measure up to the best of the three-time Oscar-nominee's work, but is, nonetheless, a beautifully filmed panoramic production with a plot compelling enough to recommend.
Prairie Miller, Long Island Press
It's any director's job to tell the actors how to feel, but never a good idea to ask the same of the audience.
Prairie Miller, Long Island Press
It's any director's job to tell the actors how to feel, but never a good idea to ask the same of the audience.
Mark Kermode, Observer [UK]
There's a touching subplot about Redford's relationship with Morgan Freeman's crippled ranch-hand, and some nonsense about the capture and liberation of an enigmatic bear.
Carolyn Arends, Christianity Today
An Unfinished Life takes us on the journey from the stifling prison of resentment to the freedom and healing of reconciliation. It's a trip worth taking.
Xan Brooks, Guardian [UK]
There's something strangely poignant about watching Robert Redford trying to be Clint Eastwood.
, Time Out
Call it "the Sundance effect," in which sentimental family drama blossoms amid a scenic, pastoral American landscape, with all its connotations of unspoiled purity and rejuvenation.
David Edwards, Daily Mirror [UK]
An Unfinished Life isn't going to win any prizes for originality, yet despite the derivative feel - and some hokey melodrama - it's still a solidly entertaining film.
Anna Smith, Empire Magazine
A wistful smalltown drama, this is predictable and pleasant, with enjoyable performances. It suffers from heavy-handed symbolism, but as an undemanding mainstream movie it has its simple pleasures.
Matthew Turner, ViewLondon
If the story seems overly familiar, it's because it's basically Heidi. Okay, so a couple of extra characters have been added and there's a great big bear instead of all that business with the wheelchair, but [it's] essentially the same.
Enrique Buchichio, Uruguay Total
Un drama familiar previsible, inofensivo y hermosamente fotografiado, con buen elenco y poco más a destacar.
Jim Lane, Sacramento News & Review
Director Lasse Hallström and the cast (including Morgan Freeman as Redford's hired hand and Josh Lucas as the local sheriff) respond with great work-in Redford's and Lopez's cases, their best ever.

Read all 22 critic reviews

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Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)

Featured Audience Ratings

Melvin W

Mitch Bradley: I know people everywhere that thought they got dealt a bad hand. "Every secret takes on a life of its own." An Unfinished Life isn't the most original thing you'll ever see, but it does do a lot of things well. It's well acted, especially by… More
Mitch Bradley: I know people everywhere that thought they got dealt a bad hand. "Every secret takes on a life of its own." An Unfinished Life isn't the most original thing you'll ever see, but it does do a lot of things well. It's well acted, especially by screen legends Morgan Freeman and Robert Redford. The Wyoming scenery is beautifully shot and the cinematography is amazing. So those are the things I really loved about the film. For the things I didn't now. Jennifer Lopez is miss cast if you ask me. She doesn't fit the role and is a mediocre, if sexy, actress at best. The other thing I didn't really care for is how the story took the easy way out to man times. There seemed to be some really interesting directions the film could have gone, but they were skipped every time for a more predictable option. Overall I still enjoyed the film as a whole. There were some truly beautiful moments and some occasionally funny ones. This isn't a movie that is overly important, nor will it ever be a classic; but what it is, is a solid piece of filmmaking. Could it have been better? Sure, but as it is; it isn't too bad.
familiar s

A good drama that indicates the significance of forgiveness, and how it can be tough than vengeance sometimes. Einar (Robert Redford) is the father-in-law of Jean (Jennifer Lopez) whose husband dies in a car accident while she was driving. She leaves her husband's house soon… More
A good drama that indicates the significance of forgiveness, and how it can be tough than vengeance sometimes. Einar (Robert Redford) is the father-in-law of Jean (Jennifer Lopez) whose husband dies in a car accident while she was driving. She leaves her husband's house soon after the incident, but returns years later with her daughter when she needs a hiding place. Einar finds it difficult to forgive her, but he's fond of his grand-daughter. The movie displays how each character deal with their pain. Einar's friend Mitch's (Morgan Freeman) parallel track, also emphasizing the power of forgiveness, is equally good. While it's a bit slow, it's not boring. The humor at regular intervals also makes it lively. Morgan Freeman gives an incredible performance as usual, while Robert Redford and Jennifer Lopez also live their character amazingly and give a natural performance. The girl playing Jean's daughter is also terrific. Check it out if you wanna see a good family drama displaying the aspects of healing, redemption and forgiveness; and if you've patience.
♥˩ƳИИ &

Cast: Jennifer Lopez, Robert Redford, Becca Gardner, Damian Lewis, Morgan Freeman, Josh Lucas, Camryn Manheim Director:Lasse Hallström Summary: When her husband dies, grieving widow Jean Gilkyson (Jennifer Lopez) moves herself and her daughter, Griff (Becca Gardner), into the… More
Cast: Jennifer Lopez, Robert Redford, Becca Gardner, Damian Lewis, Morgan Freeman, Josh Lucas, Camryn Manheim Director:Lasse Hallström Summary: When her husband dies, grieving widow Jean Gilkyson (Jennifer Lopez) moves herself and her daughter, Griff (Becca Gardner), into the Wyoming home of her estranged father-in-law, steely rancher Einar (Robert Redford), even though they don't get along. Einar can't get over the death of his only son, while Jean struggles to make sense of her new life. My Thoughts: "Just a good little film. Had a good cast, some with better acting then others. It's a movie about acceptance and forgiveness. Becca Gardner was the highlight of the film. She really did a great job. Enjoyed watching Freeman and Redford together on screen, thought they were great together in this. Simple film, nothing to special. But worth a look at."
Wahida K

Every secret takes on a life of its own!
Chris W

An Unfinished Life treads ground far from unknown, and is by no means unpredictable. However, it is still a wonderful and heartfelt film. This film features a performance by Robert Redford that is probably one of his best, quite simply because he plays a character I've never seen… More
An Unfinished Life treads ground far from unknown, and is by no means unpredictable. However, it is still a wonderful and heartfelt film. This film features a performance by Robert Redford that is probably one of his best, quite simply because he plays a character I've never seen him play before: a grizzled, haggard old man who is bitter and anger, but who does eventually change his ways. His performance, along with all of the others (yes, even Jennifer Lopez's, a role that is also one of the best of her career) are superb, as is the always unique direction by Hallstroem and the great cinematography. This film, as stated earlier, provides no new insight, but is entertaining and enthralling nonetheless, and sometimes, that is all that is needed.
Al S

A magnificent film. It's powerful, heartfelt and completely excellent. Director, Lasse Halstorm has crafted another remarkable and compelling drama. Robert Redford is astonishing, his best performance yet. Morgan Freeman is amazing as always. One of his finest performances.… More
A magnificent film. It's powerful, heartfelt and completely excellent. Director, Lasse Halstorm has crafted another remarkable and compelling drama. Robert Redford is astonishing, his best performance yet. Morgan Freeman is amazing as always. One of his finest performances. Redford and Freeman together in a film is beyond great, they're chemistry shines in every scene they are in. Jennifer Lopez is teriffic, she gives a performance to be proud of. Giving her character heart and emotion. A truly outstanding, remarkable, deeply moving and unforgettable piece of work. A movie that grabs you and dosent let go. Absolutely superb and breathtaking. A masterpiece.
Sanjaya &

Well... I appreciate J-Lo performances in this movie.. Even still the same, at least she gave an improve in her acting...
Nate Z

[center][color=darkred][font=Arial][img]http://img512.imageshack.us/img512/9210/photo090ib.jpg[/img][/font][/color][/center] [color=darkred][font=Arial][/font][/color] [color=darkred][font=Arial]An Unfinished Life[/font]- Einar (Robert Redford) is a gruff… More
[center][color=darkred][font=Arial][img]http://img512.imageshack.us/img512/9210/photo090ib.jpg[/img][/font][/color][/center] [color=darkred][font=Arial][/font][/color] [color=darkred][font=Arial]An Unfinished Life[/font]- Einar (Robert Redford) is a gruff [font=Arial]Wyoming[/font][font=Arial] rancher living with his long-time friend and ranch hand, Mitch (Morgan Freeman), who has been recovering from a bear mauling. Jean (Jennifer Lopez) and her young daughter (Becca Gardner) have run away from her abusive boyfriend and seeking temporary refuge with Einar. There?s still a lot of tension and unspoken anger between the two. Einar blames Jean for the death of his son from a car accident. As their stay continues each member imparts wisdom to the other, hard exteriors get warmed, and lessons about forgiveness are learned.[/font][/color] [color=darkred][font=Arial][/font][/color] [color=darkred][font=Arial][/font][/color][color=darkred][font=Arial]This is melodrama with a capital M. [i][font=Arial]An Unfinished Life[/font][/i] is clunky, the movie hasn?t the foggiest idea when it comes to subtlety, the characters all shout out their feelings all the time, and worse yet, it?s also incredibly transparent. A scene where Lopez breaks a dish and [/font][font=Arial]Redford[/font][font=Arial] goes nuts is just embarrassing. Of course they?re talking about his dead son but the moment is played to the hilt that I half expected every line to end in a wink (?It?s just a dish? [i][font=Arial]wink[/font][/i] ?Maybe it?s more than a dish to me!? [i][font=Arial]wink[/font][/i] ?Maybe that was my favorite dish!? [i][font=Arial]wink[/font][/i]). Honestly, it was at this point that the film lost me. The metaphors are another symptom of the film?s over ramped obviousness; [/font][font=Arial]Redford[/font][font=Arial] might as well be pointing at the bear to pantomime that it?s supposed to represent his pain and anger. And Freeman?s eventual forgiveness of his attacker is meant to encroach upon [/font][font=Arial]Redford[/font][font=Arial] to do likewise to the source of his pain, and many other moviegoers, Jennifer Lopez. I cannot find a movie emotionally involving when it doesn?t even bother to mask its grand statements.[/font][/color] [color=darkred][font=Arial][/font][/color] [color=darkred][font=Arial][/font][/color][font=Arial][color=darkred]Seriously, this movie is brimming with sprawling earnestness meant to cover the narrative shortcomings. This is a simple tale that could have suckered the audience in with its framework to showcase complex characters and their personal interactions, like a [i][font=Arial]Million Dollar Baby[/font][/i], but even though [i][font=Arial]An Unfinished Life[/font][/i] is simplistic it still manages to beat you over the head. Every line of significance is underlined so you get it. It?s like director Lasse Hallstrom was making a seething parody of these overarching, small-town, large cast, homesy feel-good flicks he?s specialized in for a decade.[/color][/font] [font=Arial][/font] [font=Arial][/font][color=darkred][font=Arial]The acting is all fine. [/font][font=Arial]Redford[/font][font=Arial] is fun to watch and get his Jeremiah Johnson back on. Lopez makes you forget how much you hate her in other movies. Freeman is settling into a weird groove as a disfigured narrator, and the young Becca Gardner gave me shudders of Jake Lloyd. Every line of hers is flat and monotone, though I?ll give her another shot before writing her off. The acting of the ensemble really isn?t the issue with [i][font=Arial]An Unfinished Life[/font][/i].[/font][/color] [color=darkred][font=Arial][/font][/color] [color=darkred][font=Arial][/font][/color][font=Arial][color=darkred]Despite all its earnest intentions and lush scenery, [i][font=Arial]An Unfished Life[/font][/i] is too much melodrama squeezed into such a small space. It?s an old fashioned tale that feels too convenient, too simplistic, too perfunctory, and too unhappy with being any of those things. This feels like a Hallmark card turned into a movie by someone who has no grasp for human emotion. Everything is shouted when it needs to be a whisper and explained when it needs to just be experienced. And yet there will be an audience for this slow burn small-town tale of forgiveness and accountability. It may please people immensely, but I prefer a little subtlety to my drama. I won?t say the film is bad but I?ll never say [i][font=Arial]An Unfinished Life[/font][/i] is particularly good, even as melodrama.[/color][/font] [font=Arial][/font] [font=Arial][/font][font=Arial][color=darkred]Nate?s Grade: C[/color][/font] [font=Arial][/font] [font=Arial][/font][color=darkred][font=Arial]Stay- This is a movie that piles on the mystery and clues but once the finish does arrive I was left saying, ?That?s all there is?? There?s so little to this film that, in retrospect, it?s simply blowing off the dust on [i][font=Arial]An Occurrence at Owl Creek[/font][/i] (I may have said too much). The trickery Stay throws at you is slightly intriguing but mostly confounding and, once the reveal tidies everything up, wholly unsatisfying. Part of the problem is that I didn?t care about any of the characters, so I didn?t really care about their plight. Yes I get it that there is a reason for how shallow they are, but the only thing [i][font=Arial]Stay[/font][/i] had to keep me going was my waning interest in what the hell is going on with everything. I?m not the biggest fan of Marc Forster ([i][font=Arial]Monster?s Ball[/font][/i], [i][font=Arial]Finding Neverland[/font][/i]) as a director, and he serves [i][font=Arial]Stay[/font][/i] to good and harmful effect. Forster gooses the film with all sorts of visual trickery like jump cuts, using twins and triplets as extras in backgrounds, repeating scenes, playing around with blocking, and lots and lots of spiral staircases (hello, [i][font=Arial]Vertigo[/font][/i]). And you do realize that most of these disorienting stylistic decisions have a seemingly coherent reason in retrospect, but it also effectively pushes the audience away from the story, aided by the fact that no one can get into the characters. The entire affair seems pointless and empty but it is pretty to look at. I'm sure I'd garner more from a second look, but I really just don't want to see [i][font=Arial]Stay[/font][/i] again.[/font][/color] [color=darkred][/color] [color=darkred][/color][font=Arial][color=darkred]Nate's Grade: C+[/color][/font] [font=Arial][/font] [font=Arial][/font][font=Arial][color=darkred]Howl?s [/color][/font][font=Arial][color=darkred]Moving[/color][/font][color=darkred][font=Arial] [/font][font=Arial]Castle[/font][/color][color=darkred][font=Arial] - The flick is wonderfully imaginative, as to be expected from [/font][font=Arial]Miyazaki[/font][font=Arial]. The Pixar people really do an excellent job of bringing these films to an American audience and treat the English dubs with reverence. I?m not someone who?ll bemoan an English dub when it comes to anime but it?s nice to see effort and respect. The story is a bit similar to [i][font=Arial]Princess Mononoke[/font][/i] with the warring factions, the mystic and the industrial, and [/color][/font][font=Arial][color=darkred]Miyazaki[/color][/font][font=Arial][color=darkred]?s refusal to paint in black and white. There are so many delightful touches here from the fire demon to the door portal to one segment that just involves two old ladies ascending stairs for three minutes. And yet it?s the spirit [/color][/font][font=Arial][color=darkred]Miyazaki[/color][/font][font=Arial][color=darkred] infuses and the attention to story and character that sets his films apart. There?s a genuine sense of magic while watching his films and [i][font=Arial]Howl[/font][/i] is no different. The only bit of contention I had with the movie is how abrupt the ending is. [i][font=Arial]Howl?s Moving Castle[/font][/i] is a bit soaked with confusion and some narrative cop-outs (?Surprise! I?m the prince responsible for the war!?). I would have loved another 30 minutes in this world as well as a better opportunity for [/color][/font][font=Arial][color=darkred]Miyazaki[/color][/font][font=Arial][color=darkred] to bring his story down with a smoother landing. Still, saying this is a slightly lesser [/color][/font][font=Arial][color=darkred]Miyazaki[/color][/font][font=Arial][color=darkred] film is like saying a million dollars is less awesome than 2 million dollars. [i][font=Arial]Howl?s Moving Castle[/font][/i][/color][color=darkred] is another sterling addition to a master storyteller.[/color][/font] [font=Arial][/font] [font=Arial][/font][font=Arial][color=darkred]Nate's Grade: A-[/color][/font]
Mike N

Today, green is gold and luck is magic. Who wants some cereal?? [img]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v293/neumdaddy/Lucky1.jpg[/img][img]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v293/neumdaddy/Lucky2.jpg[/img][img]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v293/neumdaddy/Lucky3.jpg[/img]… More
Today, green is gold and luck is magic. Who wants some cereal?? [img]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v293/neumdaddy/Lucky1.jpg[/img][img]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v293/neumdaddy/Lucky2.jpg[/img][img]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v293/neumdaddy/Lucky3.jpg[/img] [img]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v293/neumdaddy/Lucky4.jpg[/img][img]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v293/neumdaddy/Lucky5.jpg[/img][img]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v293/neumdaddy/Lucky6.jpg[/img] [img]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v293/neumdaddy/Lucky9.jpg[/img][img]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v293/neumdaddy/Lucky7.jpg[/img][img]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v293/neumdaddy/Lucky8.jpg[/img] Lucky gets progressively more fanatical, like he's more interested in owning my soul than in a balanced breakfast. That last one could almost double as the final scene in Raiders of the Lost Ark. Hmm, marshmallows = Nazi parts?
ashley h

I loved everything about this movie EXCEPT Jennifer Lopez,she was COMPLETELY miscast. Everyone else had good chemistry and apart from it being a little slow,it was a great movie.
Sunil J

Jennifer Lopez's first really good movie.
Leo L

A good film.
Erin C

This movie was actually pretty interesting. Mitch (Morgan Freeman's character) had the most positive attitude after all he had been through, and it was very inspiring.
Kevin M

Redford, Freeman & Lucas deserve all of the glory for this film. I'll never be impressed with JLo's attempts at imitating a southern accent, or her acting whatsoever. She's better off marrying ugly latin singers and shaking her over-sized (fat) ass in thug poser… More
Redford, Freeman & Lucas deserve all of the glory for this film. I'll never be impressed with JLo's attempts at imitating a southern accent, or her acting whatsoever. She's better off marrying ugly latin singers and shaking her over-sized (fat) ass in thug poser videos.
FanGirl B

I wish Lopez weren't in this film.