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| An Unfinished Life | 
 enlarge | Director: Lasse Hallstroem
Actors: Robert Redford, Jennifer Lopez, Morgan Freeman, Josh Lucas, Damian Lewis
Studio: Miramax
Category: DVD
List Price: $17.99
Buy Used: $3.47
You Save: $14.52 (81%)
New (46) Used (42) Collectible (1) from $3.47
Avg. Customer Rating:  121 reviews
Sales Rank: 5713
Format: Closed-captioned, Color, Dvd-video, Widescreen, Ntsc
Language: English (Original Language)
Rating: PG-13 (Parental Guidance Suggested)
Number Of Items: 1
Running Time: 108
Aspect Ratio: 2.40:1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.2
Dimensions (in): 7.5 x 5.3 x 0.6
MPN: 03966900
UPC: 786936278118
EAN: 0786936278118
ASIN: B000E5KQOQ
Theatrical Release Date: 2005
Release Date: April 11, 2006
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Condition: 36 includes original case. case has name written on it. disc has minorwear
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Amazon.com
Much like the late Rodney Dangerfield, some films just can't get any respect. Shelved by Miramax for two years, An Unfinished Life was released with little fanfare between Morgan Freeman's Oscar win and Lasse Hallstroem's higher-profile Casanova. Despite critical praise from some quarters, the heartland drama got lost amidst the shuffle. The title comes from the epitaph of Griffin, late son of Wyoming rancher Einar (a rumpled Robert Redford). Between chores, he looks after ranch hand Mitch (Freeman), who was mauled by a bear the year before. One day, daughter-in-law Jean (Jennifer Lopez) and granddaughter Griff (Becca Gardner) drop by the ranch unexpectedly. They're on the run from Jean's abusive boyfriend, Gary (Damian Lewis), back in Iowa. "I don't want you here," Einar states flatly--he blames her for Griffin's death 12 years ago--but the look on the kid's face convinces him to relent. While Jean works as a waitress in town and embarks on a tentative relationship with Sheriff Crane (Josh Lucas), his newfound granddaughter helps to take care of Mitch. Just as the four are starting to form a loose-knit family, Gary comes looking for Jean and upsets the delicate balance. It may pack fewer surprises than the superior What's Eating Gilbert Grape and the bear symbolism may be a mite heavy-handed, but the deeply unfashionable An Unfinished Life deserves a second chance to find an audience. --Kathleen C. Fennessy
Product Description
From the acclaimed director of CASANOVA CHOCOLAT and THE CIDER HOUSE RULES ... Academy Award(R) winners Robert Redford (Best Director ORDINARY PEOPLE 1980) and Morgan Freeman (Best Supporting Actor MILLION DOLLAR BABY 2004) star in this powerful story of risk and redemption. Stoic and heartbroken Einar Gilkyson (Redford) quietly lives in the rugged Wyoming ranchlands alongside his only trusted friend Mitch Bradley (Freeman). Then suddenly the woman he blames for the death of his only son arrives at his door broke desperate and with a granddaughter he's never known. But even as buried anger and accusations resurface the way is opened for unexpected connection adventure and forgiveness. Also starring Jennifer Lopez (SHALL WE DANCE?) and Josh Lucas (SWEET HOME ALABAMA GLORY ROAD).System Requirements:Running Time 107 Mins.Format: DVD MOVIE Genre: DRAMA Rating: PG-13 UPC: 786936278118 Manufacturer No: 03966900
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| Customer Reviews: Read 116 more reviews...
 One of the better films you've never heard of... August 15, 2008
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
I'll admit, I'm kind of confused how this movie escaped the watchful eye of Oscar. I'm not saying that I think it was the best film of the year, but I am saying that all the elements of this film fit nicely together, and the end result is something that is very much up Oscar's alley.
`An Unfinished Life' tells the story of Einar Gilkyson and his daughter-in-law Jean. Einar has blamed Jean for the death of his son Griffin and has since refused to speak to her, but when she shows up at his doorstep on the run from her abusive boyfriend, her daughter Griff (Einar's granddaughter) in toe, he decides to let her stay. They form an unlikely family, with ranch hand Mitch Bradley lending his words of wisdom to try and bring Einar and Jean together. Jean works as a waitress to contribute and finds herself flirting with a relationship with the local sheriff Crane Curtis, all the while her boyfriend Gary is desperately trying to track her down. While Jena is working Einar is bonding with Griff and in the process leans how to forgive, and most importantly, how to let go.
There is a lot of tenderness brought to this film, in a subtle and underwhelming sort of way. Nothing seems overly heavy handed, which is a nice change of pace when considering most movies today, especially films of this nature that tend to `overdue' the sentiment and eagerly manipulate the audiences emotions. True, we know what we are supposed to be feeling, but we achieve that feeling all on our own.
The performances truly elevate the material as well. Jennifer Lopez, who has been tampering with a decent movie career for some time now, really shines as Jean. She proves that she is so much more than just a `romantic/comedy' actress here, delving into feelings of pain and guilt that transcended the work she did in `Enough'. Josh Lucas is charming, which he needs to be, but sadly the script doesn't need him to be anything more and so he isn't. Robert Redford is convincing in his sullenness, grappling his characters deep-rooted pain.
I want to talk a little about Morgan Freeman for a minute. When I reviewed `Million Dollar Baby' I mentioned that Freeman's Oscar win was undeserved and that the idea of his character was far more effective than his actual performance. I still stand by that. Here though, Freeman takes the VERY SAME IDEA but manages to reel in a deserving performance. When you think about Mitch Brady, he really is Eddie Dupris (Freeman's `Million Dollar Baby' character). He is the crippled ranch hand that Einar keeps around mostly because Mitch saved his life. Sound familiar? Mitch attaches himself to Jean while Einar is still resentful of her and he manages to bring the two of them together. Sound familiar? In all honesty they are really the same character. Eddie embodied the better film while Mitch received the better performance.
In the end `An Unfinished Life' is truly touching and moving. It has its minor flaws, but those flaws never take away from the overall effect of the film. Like I said, I'm really shocked that this did not get a bigger Oscar push for all the elements for Oscar are here. I can't say that I would have nominated it anywhere, but I definitely wouldn't have shelved it as most people did, for this film deserves some attention, serious attention.
 A great Flick July 29, 2008
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
Wow!!! A great performance by all - including the bad guy. Redford and Freeman have always been favorites, but they really shined in this one. I rented this one because of the cast, then turned around and bought it. I didn't realize that it went straight to DVD. What a waste - glad I didn't miss it. Shame for those who did.
We need more of this type of movie July 26, 2008
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
The cast in this movie worked. I am now in the process of reading the book. I don't know why this movie got lost in the shuffle but it shouldn't have. I especally loved Becca Gardner as Griff, the granddaughter. I hope to see more of her in the future. Griff is a powerful force in the book making a family of her estranged mother and grandfather. Becca plays the part wonderfully. After Griff leaves her Mother and goes back to live with her grandfather, Einar eventually gives Jean the best compliment a person can give a Mother. "She's a good girl. That doesn't happen by accident."
How do we learn how to forgive? May 31, 2008
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
[...]
How do we learn how to forgive? How can I forgive if the person is no longer here? No longer speaking, nowhere near, no grave to visit, no unknown granddaughter to bring us together, no bear which forces us to face our fears. How do we learn to Love?
Love this film, love the soundtrack, the music, the vistas, the views; I have watched it three times in a row right now. If only life could be like
this. How can we do it? Questions remain.
I personally did not like Robert Redford's character. His rage is outstanding, inappropriate and wrong. He is not much different than the young man that took his anger out on Jennifer. He just uses words with women and fists with men. In a normal place, he would be in jail for his behavior. The worst of it is that he isn't even drinking anymore, and his rage and violence remains. It's so "American" to make the hero an angry warmonger. Out of the entire cast and film, this was my only complaint. When Captain Call in Lonesome Dove (Tommy Lee Jones) behaved this way, at least he knew he had overreacted, and felt some sense of shame. Redford shows none. What did he learn about "accidents" and forgiveness and rage? That "the bad guy" still "deserves it?"
I could see Mickey Rourke acting in this part with the ice-cold smoldering anger he carries to his films, but Redford? Never. Didn't like it at all. The day would come all too soon when the daughter-in-law or granddaughter would do "something" to instigate his ire, and then LOOK OUT.
Everything else was fantastic, Freeman (of course), the young grand daughter, and Jennifer Lopez was excellent. She is one of the most underrated actors of her generation.
Great film and important story. Thanks to everyone concerned. Now if I just can just figure out how to do it for myself. "Face my bear" but what is his name? Where is he, except hungry & growling inside of me?
NOTE: Soundtrack by Deborah Lurie is FANTASTIC. I'm on my third "viewing" of the film just to listen to it again, until my CD comes!
An Unfinished Life May 2, 2008
0 out of 1 found this review helpful
An Unfinished Life is very good and we certainly are enjoying it. Your service was great, much thanks.
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