Once in the Life

2000, Drama/Crime, 1h 47m

25 Reviews 1,000+ Ratings

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critics consensus

Once in a Life is a promising directorial effort by Laurence Fishburne. But the story is too conventional and similar to the many ghetto action/dramas that come before it. Read critic reviews

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Once in the Life Photos

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Movie Info

A gritty drama centered around brotherhood and friendship, "Once in the Life" is a realistic depiction of how everyday choices affect our path in life. It is a cautionary tale about making the wrong choices and the inevitable, tragic conclusion of an individual who is drawn to a life of crime - - once in the life, always in the life.

Cast & Crew

Laurence Fishburne
20, 20 Mike
Titus Welliver
Torch
Eamonn Walker
Tony
Dominic Chianese Jr.
Freddie Nine Lives
Paul Calderone
Manny Rivera
Gregory Hines
Ruffhouse
Annabella Sciorra
Maxine
Michael Paul Chan
Buddha
Dres
Hector
Tiger Hu Chen
Chino
Laurence Fishburne
Director
Laurence Fishburne
Screenwriter
Laurence Fishburne
Writer
David Bushell
Producer
Steve Carlis
Executive Producer
Donald C. Carter
Executive Producer
Laurence Fishburne
Producer
Larry Meistrich
Executive Producer
Helen Sugland
Producer
Branford Marsalis
Original Music
Richard Turner
Cinematography
Bill Pankow
Film Editing
Bonnie Timmermann
Casting
Charley Beal
Production Design
Diann Duthie
Art Director
Paul Cheponis
Set Decoration
Jordan West
Set Decoration
Darryle Johnson
Costume Design
Barry Cole
Music Supervisor
Christopher Covert
Music Supervisor
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Critic Reviews for Once in the Life

All Critics (25) | Top Critics (14) | Fresh (7) | Rotten (18)
Full Review… Roger Ebert Chicago Sun-Times Full Review… Gene Seymour Newsday Full Review… Kirk Honeycutt Hollywood Reporter Full Review… Eric Harrison Houston Chronicle Full Review… Michael Atkinson Village Voice Full Review… Kevin Maynard Mr. Showbiz Full Review… Emanuel Levy EmanuelLevy.Com Full Review… Jeffrey Westhoff Northwest Herald (Crystal Lake, IL) Full Review… Ryan Cracknell Apollo Guide Full Review… Sean Axmaker Seattle Post-Intelligencer Full Review… Luke Y. Thompson New Times Full Review… Eric Monder Film Journal International
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