An Unfinished Life

Several social topics (generational relationships, abuse, dealing with the death of a family member) are intertwined with the depiction of simple life in the embrace of the rugged and beautiful landscape of central Wyoming. Although it may seem like a typical boring film, full of contrived shots and pseudo-romantic gestures and speeches like The Cider House Rules, it is not. An Unfinished Life is surprisingly striking and exceptionally funny, with incredibly strong performances and polished dialogue. It may not be anything we haven't seen before, but it is highly enjoyable to watch. The presence of reality all around the main characters is very enjoyable, and Jennifer Lopez delivers the best performance of her career, and that means something. (07/18/2007)

There’s something beautiful about these honest, heartfelt stories where the actors truly connect with their surroundings, making the film even more touching. An Unfinished Life offers a glimpse into the life of a ranching family that’s been through a lot. Then, out of nowhere, Jennifer Lopez arrives, reopening old wounds and forcing the family to confront their past. When a drama is as sensitive and well-paced as this, with likable characters, it’s a joy to watch. Morgan Freeman and Robert Redford are a duo I’ll always admire, and while Jennifer Lopez feels more like a side character, she’s not overbearing, so it works. Lasse Hallström is a brilliant director—he has a gift for handling deep family issues with such care and nuance. Hats off to him. (08/27/2012)

No matter how much I say throughout my whole life that I don't like Jennifer Lopez, there is one exception. The thanks for that go to Scandinavian magician Lasse Hallström and the tailor-made role of a determined mother who doesn't shy away from radical acts. Add to that the embittered Robert Redford, the perpetually wise Morgan Freeman, and the enchanting soundtrack by Christopher Young in the true American wilderness – and the genre of going back to your roots couldn't have received a better injection than the bickering speeches of the two old timers. And now excuse me, I have an irresistible desire to go after a bear. (08/16/2008)

An Unfinished Life is a quiet, modest and pleasant film that’s a bit on American side for Lasse Hallström. Though it’s predictable and doesn’t have a single really powerful scene, it does have the constant presence of humanity. The film stands on the excellent Robert Redford, while J-Lo doesn’t hurt anything and Morgan Freeman again provides 100% reliable support to everyone. The cinematography and music are rather unobtrusive without fully exploiting the potential of the setting and the subject, which only enhances both the film’s decency and its muted nature. (01/09/2006)

Lasse Hallström has the upper hand in one thing: even from a barren, unpleasant-looking piece of soil he can reap a harvest rich enough to feed the entire audience in one sitting without any major exceptions. While I was far from feeling stuffed after the feast, simply because everyone got only a small portion of originality and creative improvisation (it's hard to look for motifs we haven't found many times elsewhere), I have nothing to complain about in terms of quality and enjoyment. A pleasant, unassuming film that fully benefits from Hallström's narrative sensitivity, the great talent of the two legends (Redford in particular is extremely convincing and could have pulled off the entire story on his own) and the natural beauty of Jennifer Lopez, whose performance is pretty decent this time. Everything goes and ends according to a precise outline, but you know, the formal refinement of some films is difficult to describe, and this is exactly the case. 80% (08/05/2014)