critics consensus

A classic example of how a talented actor can elevate somewhat standard material, The Life Ahead proves Sophia Loren's star power remains absolutely undimmed. Read critic reviews

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Movie Info

An aging Holocaust survivor forges a bond with a young immigrant from Senegal who recently robbed her.

Rating:

PG-13 (Some Sexual Material|Language|Drug Material Involving Minors|Thematic Content)
Genre:

drama
Original Language:

Italian
Director:

Edoardo Ponti
Producer:

Carlo Degli Esposti, Regina K. Scully, Nicola Serra, Lynda Weinman
Writer:

Ugo Chiti
Release Date (Streaming):

Nov 13, 2020
Runtime:

1h 35m
Production Co:

Palomar
Aspect Ratio:

Scope (2.35:1)

Cast & Crew

Sophia Loren
Madame Rosa

Abril Zamora
Lola

Babak Karimi
Hamil

Renato Carpentieri
Dr. Coen

Ibrahima Gueye
Momo

Massimiliano Rossi
Drug Dealer

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News & Interviews for The Life Ahead

Rotten Tomatoes Fans Predict Another Schitt’s Creek Sweep at the Golden Globes

Awards Leaderboard: Top Movies of 2020 – Rotten Tomatoes

Golden Globe Nominations 2021: The Full List of Nominees

View All

Critic Reviews for The Life Ahead

All Critics (84) | Top Critics (26) | Fresh (77) | Rotten (7)

Sophia Loren is by far the best reason to see Edoardo Ponti's new Italian-language drama, out now on Netflix. But what a reason it is...

November 21, 2020 | Rating: B | Full Review…

Leah Greenblatt
Entertainment Weekly
Perhaps The Life Ahead feels devised as a career-closing encore first and foremost. But the unbridled pleasure of seeing a Loren encore is not to be sniffed at.

November 18, 2020 | Rating: 3/5 | Full Review…

Robbie Collin
Daily Telegraph (UK)
A potentially trite tale of an unlikely relationship is lifted immeasurably by Sophia Loren and is best viewed as a testament to the true power of the movie star.

November 16, 2020 | Rating: 3/5 | Full Review…

Ian Freer
Empire Magazine
The main selling point is Loren, who combines world-weary abrasiveness with a sense of something softer...

November 15, 2020 | Rating: 3/5 | Full Review…

Mark Kermode
Observer (UK)
...it's pure in its sentiment, direct but eloquent. And if it draws a few tears, just go with the flow. You may very well need it.

November 14, 2020 | Full Review…

Stephanie Zacharek
TIME Magazine
Loren inhabits the role of Madame Rosa as if it was written for her.

November 13, 2020 | Rating: 3/4 | Full Review…

Sheila O'Malley
RogerEbert.com
Gueye is quite a find, confident and charismatic enough to convince as the only person in the city who can really stand up to Madame Rosa -- and, perhaps, reawaken feelings she long ago learned to do without.

February 18, 2021 | Rating: 4/5 | Full Review…

Jennie Kermode
Eye for Film
A lovely tale of unlikely friendship featuring a beautiful comeback role from Sophia Loren + newcomer Ibrahima Gueye. There's a lot of emotions packed in a breezy 94 min running time, which is always nice as the film never overstays its welcome.

February 9, 2021 | Rating: 4/5 | Full Review…

Ruth Maramis
FlixChatter Film Blog
Shamelessly manipulative, this formulaic debacle fails to offer something new; and even more important, something solid.

January 28, 2021 | Rating: 1.5/5 | Full Review…

Filipe Freitas
Always Good Movies
It is Loren's performance that earns "The Life Ahead" any recommendation for a watch ... Everyone else is a bit player in her show. The movie star, though older, has the same on-screen presence and "it" factor that made her a household name.

January 27, 2021 | Full Review…

Candice McMillan
Seattle Refined
Despite its memorable performances, The Life Ahead follows a conventional dramatic formula without offering much new. [Full Review in Spanish]

January 8, 2021 | Rating: 2.5/4 | Full Review…

Rene Sanchez
Cine Sin Fronteras
They just don't make dynamos like Loren any more, and "The Life Ahead" reminds of how much will be lost when a diva like she departs for her ultimate role far beyond the restraints of our mortal universe.

December 25, 2020 | Rating: B- | Full Review…

Al Alexander
The Patriot Ledger