Einar claimed the only thing he couldn't stand was someone trying to peddle his "angle on God." Have you known people who feel that way? How would you share the Gospel (if at all) with someone who is angered by "religion"?.Was this connection evident in the lives of Einar and Jean in An Unfinished Life? Jesus connected our ability to be forgiven to our willingness to forgive others (see Matthew 6).It takes us on the journey from the stifling prison of resentment to the freedom and healing of reconciliation. But ultimately, An Unfinished Life harvests genuine humor from well-drawn characters and authentic drama from a well-told story. Occasionally An Unfinished Life bites off more than it should chew: the bear metaphor gets taken a little far, the parallels in various character's lives are sometimes drawn too strongly, and Mitch's wisdom reaches a bit farther than is warranted (particularly at the movie's end). Some viewers may find the pace a little too leisurely, but there is a commendable honesty and maturity in this film's recognition that human hearts tend to move in inches rather than miles.
An unfinished life movie online series#
The scene is set for a series of quests for liberation: bear from cage, woman from abusive boyfriend and self-blame, man from grief, rage and unforgiveness.īecca Gardner and Jennifer Lopez with Redfordĭirector Lasse Hallstrom ( Chocolat, What's Eating Gilbert Grape, The Shipping News, The Cider House Rules) is not particularly innovative with An Unfinished Life, choosing instead to let this story be told at a leisurely pace against a beautifully cinematic western backdrop. Meanwhile, Einar's granddaughter Griff is slowly thawing her grandfather's heart, taking a genuine interest in western life, and approaching their relationship with an honesty that penetrates Einar's gruff exterior. Mitch insists that Einar go visit and then feed the animal that nearly killed him. Einar's attempt to shoot it is thwarted by Fish and Game officers, who tranquilize the creature and place it in a local makeshift zoo. But Jean and Griff's arrival brings up painful memories that threaten to push Einar over the emotional brink, and to make matters worse, the bear has reappeared as well. Lately, Einar has managed to find a fragile sobriety and equilibrium, enjoying the amiable crankiness of his friendship with Mitch (complete with fierce arguments over everything from games of cribbage to the weather) and daily visits to his son's grave. Jennifer Lopez, with Redford and Freeman, plays Redford's daughter-in-law But even Einar's camaraderie with Mitch is marked with tragedy: Mitch is covered in claw-marks from a bear-attack that took place a year earlier, and he needs Einar's constant care to cope with his injuries.
All that is left are the ramshackle grounds of his homestead (the expansive ranchlands of Wyoming are played ably by Kamloops, British Columbia), a milking cow, an assortment of cats, and Einar's old friend and ranch-hand Mitch. The resulting emotional paralysis-and a corresponding drinking problem-have cost him his marriage and his cattle.
But Einar is astonished to discover that Griff is the grandchild he never knew he had, and he grudgingly tells his long-lost family that they can stay in a junk-filled room in his basement.Įinar has spent the past 12 years frozen in grief and anger over his son's death, which he blames on Jean. "I don't want you here," states Einar in greeting. Jean and Einar have been estranged for 12 years-ever since Jean lost her husband (and Einar lost his son) in a tragic car accident. Mother and daughter end up not in Loving, Butte, or Aloha, but in Ishawooda, Wyoming, where Jean arrives unannounced at her father-in-law Einar's ranch and asks for some temporary shelter. Robert Redford and Morgan Freeman star as longtime friends
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