“An Unfinished Life” (Miramax)
Robert Redford, Morgan Freeman and Jennifer Lopez star in Lasse Hallstrom’s new film “An Unfinished Life.” This is a film so rich in meaning, so profound in thought, and so beautifully acted that it is a real mystery as to why it has been languishing on the shelf for almost a year while so much trash has been released.
In the film Redford plays a rancher named Einer, whose son died in a car crash some eleven years previously. He has a granddaughter named Griff (Becca Gardner) he does not know about until his daughter in law Jean (Lopez) shows up with her at his house. She is running away from a physically abusive boyfriend (Damian Lewis).
Einer holds Jean responsible for his son’s death so he isn’t overjoyed to see her. He is delighted with his granddaughter since she is so much like his late son. He confides all this to his friend and partner Mitch (Morgan Freeman) who lives on the ranch. Mitch has been mauled by a huge bear and Einer takes care of him.
Jean finds work at a caf run by a local woman (Camryn Manheim) in the town where Einer lives. She plans to work there until she gets enough money to take Griff and leave. But while there she does start an affair with the local sheriff (Josh Lucas).
This movie is all about love and forgiveness. Both Einer and Jean need to find a way to forgive each other as well as themselves. The road to their doing this is difficult and may even be impossible, but both of them love Griff and she loves each of them.
The acting in this movie is perfect. Redford hasn’t just gotten older, he has gotten better. This is his best performance in a long time and his scenes with Gardner and with Freeman are among the best work he has ever done. He makes Einer irascible as well as compassionate.
Freeman matches Redford’s performance with one of his best. Mitch is a man enduring a lot of pain, but he is also one of the most forgiving in the film. He knows Einer’s heart and tries to help others see it too.
The big find of the film is Gardner. She is completely natural and enjoyable as Griff. Just as Scarlett Johansson blossomed opposite Redford in “The Horse Whisperer,” so does Gardner in this role. She is up against tough competition in the likes of Redford and Freeman but she holds her own with them in scene after scene.
The other actors are so good and this is such an ensemble piece that Lopez manages to come off as sweet and unassuming in her role. She is not the center of the film but she adds to the overall flavor. She is pretty and powerful when she finally lets Jean reach her stride.
The movie is rated PG-13 for profanity and violence.
If you have been a Redford fan in the past you will want to see him in this role. Or if you are just a fan of movies that actually have something to say and are peopled with characters you can care about, you won’t want to miss this movie.
“An Unfinished Life” is a finished story of love, forgiveness and hope. If you appreciate movies that are more than car chases and dirty jokes this is a movie to savor. Redford is back and he is better than ever.
I scored “An Unfinished Life” a complete 8 out of 10.
