Directed by Lasse Hallstrom, "An Unfinished Life" stars Robert Redford as Einar Gilkyson, a Wyoming rancher. Einar's drunkenness led to his buddy, Mitch Bradley (Morgan Freeman), being mauled by a giant bear. Einar refuses to forgive himself. Mitch forgives both Einar and the bear.
Issues of "mercy" and "forgiveness" extend throughout Hallstrom's film. Einar's daughter-in-law, Jean Gilkyson (Jennifer Lopez), is held in contempt by Einar; he blames her for his son's death. But when Einar forgives Jean's daughter (Becca Gardner) for her involvement in an accident, it spurs him to forgive Jean herself. "I think the dead forgive us our sins," Mitch says, his gentle wisdom inspiring Hallstrom's cast to let go of their hate.
Despite a creaky performance by Lopez, "An Unfinished Life" features gorgeous location photography, palpable atmosphere and likable performances by Freeman and Redford, who play a couple of cantankerous old men. Young Becca Gardener steals the show.
7.9/10 - See "The Yellow Handkerchief", "Flesh and Bone" (1993) and "Everything Must Go".
Issues of "mercy" and "forgiveness" extend throughout Hallstrom's film. Einar's daughter-in-law, Jean Gilkyson (Jennifer Lopez), is held in contempt by Einar; he blames her for his son's death. But when Einar forgives Jean's daughter (Becca Gardner) for her involvement in an accident, it spurs him to forgive Jean herself. "I think the dead forgive us our sins," Mitch says, his gentle wisdom inspiring Hallstrom's cast to let go of their hate.
Despite a creaky performance by Lopez, "An Unfinished Life" features gorgeous location photography, palpable atmosphere and likable performances by Freeman and Redford, who play a couple of cantankerous old men. Young Becca Gardener steals the show.
7.9/10 - See "The Yellow Handkerchief", "Flesh and Bone" (1993) and "Everything Must Go".