An Unfinished Life (2005)

Director:

Lasse Hallström

Writers (WGA):

Mark Spragg (written by) &
Virginia Korus Spragg (written by)

Release Date:

15 September 2005 (Israel)

Genre:

Drama

Tagline:

every secret takes on a life of its own

Plot:

A down on her luck woman, desperate to provide care for her daughter, moves in with her father in-law from whom she is estranged. Through time, they learn to forgive each other and heal old wounds.

Plot Keywords:

Bear | Car Accident | Wyoming | Ranch | Friendship

Awards:

2 wins

Cast

Robert Redford	...	Einar Gilkyson
Jennifer Lopez	...	Jean Gilkyson
Morgan Freeman	...	Mitch Bradley
Josh Lucas	...	Crane Curtis
Damian Lewis	...	Gary Winston
Camryn Manheim	...	Nina
Becca Gardner	...	Griff Gilkyson
Lynda Boyd	...	Kitty
Rob Hayter	...	Deputy
P. Lynn Johnson	...	Shelter Supervisor
Byron Lucas	...	Motorcycle Rider
Trevor Moss	...	Griffin Gilkyson
R. Nelson Brown	...	Kent (as Rnelsonbrown)
Dillard Brinson	...	Gnome Owner
Jason Diablo	...	Customer #1

Also Known As:

Ein ungezähmtes Leben (Germany)
Una vida por delante (Spain) (Venezuela) [es]
Une vie inachevée (Canada: French title) (France) [fr]
Agefyrotes sheseis (Greece) [el]
En dag i livet (Sweden) [sv]
Il vento del perdono (Italy) [it]
Kesken jäänyt elämä (Finland) [fi]
U sjeni proslosti (Croatia) [hr]
Um Lugar Para Recomeçar (Brazil) [pt]
Un amor, dos destinos (Argentina) [es]

MPAA:

Rated PG-13 for some violence including domestic abuse, and language.

Runtime:

108 min

Country:

Germany | USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

DTS | Dolby Digital | SDDS

Certification:

Netherlands:12 | Finland:K-11 | Germany:6 | Singapore:PG | Czech Republic:15 | Switzerland:10 (canton of Vaud) | Switzerland:10 (canton of Geneva) | Argentina:13 | UK:12A | Brazil:12 | Ireland:12A | Hungary:14 | Canada:PG (Ontario) | Philippines:PG-13 (MTRCB) | Iceland:10 | Iceland:12 (video rating) | Portugal:M/12 | USA:PG-13 | Australia:M

Filming Locations:

Ashcroft, British Columbia, Canada

Company:

Miramax Films

Trivia:

Dedicated to Karin Lyberg-Hallström and Britta Olin, Lasse's and Lena's mothers respectively.

Goofs:

Continuity: In the very next scene it is dark and Jean and Griff are asleep. Jean hears the motorcycle and yells at him. He tells her that the car is done for and offers to take them to South Dakota. Jean tells Griff to just take what she needs, and it shows them filling up her backpack. As the motorcycle rides away leaving them at probably a bus stop, they now have many large bags of clothes with them.

Quotes:

Einar Gilkyson: Anything else you need?
Mitch Bradley: Yeah, look in on the bear.
Einar Gilkyson: What?
Mitch Bradley: Check in on the bear.
Einar Gilkyson: Check in on the...? Why the hell would I do that?
Mitch Bradley: 'Cause I asked you to.

Movie Connections:

Features Below (2002)

Soundtrack:

If You Had Called Yesterday

An Unfinished Life Delivers!

I have to say that within the past two years I've hard both positive and negative comments on the film adaptation of the book "An Unfinished Life". I for one was extremely interested upon hearing that a movie was being done with Jennifer Lynn Lopez, Robert Redford, and the brilliant Morgan Freeman. This cast for years have entertained me through splendid movies such as Selena, Out of Sight, The Way We Were, and Million Dollar Baby. Although very aware of the skepticiscm of having La Lopez in a film with Oscar performing co-stars, would prove to show ones stubbornness. Lopez gives a knockout performance and I would challenge anyone who says she was miscast for this role. Isn't it the job of the actor to travel outside of their character, and convey the feelings of another. I don't think much is needed to be said about Redford's and Morgan's heartbreaking performances. Lasse Halstrom has outdone himself again, he has brought justice to the splendid novel by Mark Spragg. I trust all of you will give this Oscar worthy movie a shot, before you draw any of your conclusions. 'An Unfinished Life' reminds me of an old family western, filled with heart and emotion. This coming from a guy whose never in his life has been quite so fond of the wild west.