An Unfinished Life

2005

An Unfinished Life

Critics Consensus

A story of disjointed family members yearning for true emotional depth, An Unfinished Life teeters between overtly saccharine sentiments and moments of real intimacy.

52%

TOMATOMETER

Total Count: 142

67%

Audience Score

User Ratings: 60,883
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Movie Info

Two generations of a damaged family are brought together in this emotional drama. Einar Gilkyson (Robert Redford) was a once successful rancher whose spread went to seed after he developed a serious drinking problem. Now on the wagon, Einar looks after what's left of his spread with his friend Mitch (Morgan Freeman), a one-time cowhand who never fully recovered after being mauled by a bear. Einar once had a son named Griffin, but he died in a car wreck while Griffin's wife, Jean (Jennifer Lopez), was driving; Einar never forgave her for the death, and he had never met the granddaughter she was carrying until she arrived at his doorstep 11 years later. Jean has become involved with a violent man named Gary (Damian Lewis), and seeks refuge on Einar's ranch for the safety of her daughter, Griff (Becca Gardner). Einar reluctantly takes in Jean and Griff, giving them a place to stay as Jean looks for work and tries to put her life back together. But old trouble makes its way back to town in two ways -- Gary tracks down Jean and wants to make her pay for leaving him, while the bear who attacked Mitch comes down from the mountains looking for new prey. An Unfinished Life was adapted from the novel of the same name by Mark Spragg. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi
  • Rating:
    PG-13 (for some violence including domestic abuse, and language)
  • Genre:
    Drama
  • Directed By:
    Lasse Hallstrom
  • Written By:
    Mark Spragg, Virginia Spragg
  • In Theaters:
     wide
  • On Disc/Streaming:
  • Box Office:
    $8,535,575
  • Runtime:
  • Studio:
    Miramax Films

Cast

Robert Redford
as Einar Gilkyson
Jennifer Lopez
as Jean Gilkyson
Morgan Freeman
as Mitch Bradley
Josh Lucas
as Sheriff Crane Curtis
Damian Lewis
as Gary Watson
Camryn Manheim
as Nina
Becca Gardner
as Griff Gilkyson
Lynda Boyd
as Kitty
R. Nelson Brown
as Rancher Kent
Sean J. Dory
as Drunk Cowboy
Rob Hayter
as Deputy Bob
P. Lynn Johnson
as Shelter Supervisor
Trevor Moss
as Griffin Gilkyson
Dillard Brinson
as Gnome Owner
Jason Diablo
as Customer
Sean Dory
as Customer
Bryan Korenberg
as Angry Couple Man
Danielle Dunn-Morris
as Angie
Sandra Polson
as Secretary
Dale Kipling
as Cook
Jill Teed
as Bartender
Jayne Dancose
as Nurse Phyllis
Ken Camroux
as Doctor
Bart the Bear
as The Bear
Joey Newman
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Critic Reviews for An Unfinished Life

All Critics (142) | Top Critics (37) | Fresh (74) | Rotten (68)

  • There's something strangely poignant about watching Robert Redford trying to be Clint Eastwood.

    Jun 24, 2006 | Rating: 2/4 | Full Review…

    Xan Brooks

    Guardian
    Top Critic

  • Call it "the Sundance effect," in which sentimental family drama blossoms amid a scenic, pastoral American landscape, with all its connotations of unspoiled purity and rejuvenation.

    Jun 24, 2006 | Full Review…
    Time Out
    Top Critic

  • Hallström ropes an all-star cast into what's essentially a glossed-up TV movie.

    Sep 26, 2005

    Keith Phipps

    AV Club
    Top Critic

  • The picture has no discernible reason for being. It's impossible to identify with characters who seem so fond of their own misery, they can't be bothered to communicate even the most basic facts about themselves.

    Sep 24, 2005 | Rating: 2/4 | Full Review…

    Peter Howell

    Toronto Star
    Top Critic

  • By the conclusion, the movie turns into the ursine answer to Free Willy, veering dangerously close to New Age parody.

    Sep 23, 2005 | Rating: 2/4

    Liam Lacey

    Globe and Mail
    Top Critic

  • Manages to be both moving and poignant largely because of the superb acting, cinematography and direction.

    Sep 12, 2005 | Full Review…

    Paul Clinton (CNN.com)

    CNN.com
    Top Critic
View All Critic Reviews (142)

Audience Reviews for An Unfinished Life

  • Jul 31, 2017
    Pretty good family drama set out in rural America when a runaway daughter escapes an abusive boyfriend by returning to her small town roots. JLo does better than one might've imagined while up against Redford and Freeman, and the whole feels as involving, though restrained, as what might be a PBS effort. Worthy.
    Kevin M. W Super Reviewer
  • May 08, 2012
    Mitch Bradley: I know people everywhere that thought they got dealt a bad hand.  "Every secret takes on a life of its own." An Unfinished Life isn't the most original thing you'll ever see, but it does do a lot of things well. It's well acted, especially by  screen legends Morgan Freeman and Robert Redford. The Wyoming scenery is beautifully shot and the cinematography is amazing. So those are the things I really loved about the film. For the things I didn't now. Jennifer Lopez is miss cast if you ask me. She doesn't fit the role and is a mediocre, if sexy, actress at best. The other thing I didn't really care for is how the story took the easy way out to man times. There seemed to be some really interesting directions the film could have gone, but they were skipped every time for a more predictable option. Overall I still enjoyed the film as a whole. There were some truly beautiful moments and some occasionally funny ones. This isn't a movie that is overly important, nor will it ever be a classic; but what it is, is a solid piece of filmmaking. Could it have been better? Sure, but as it is; it isn't too bad. 
    Melvin W Super Reviewer
  • Jan 20, 2011
    A good drama that indicates the significance of forgiveness, and how it can be tough than vengeance sometimes. Einar (Robert Redford) is the father-in-law of Jean (Jennifer Lopez) whose husband dies in a car accident while she was driving. She leaves her husband's house soon after the incident, but returns years later with her daughter when she needs a hiding place. Einar finds it difficult to forgive her, but he's fond of his grand-daughter. The movie displays how each character deal with their pain. Einar's friend Mitch's (Morgan Freeman) parallel track, also emphasizing the power of forgiveness, is equally good. While it's a bit slow, it's not boring. The humor at regular intervals also makes it lively. Morgan Freeman gives an incredible performance as usual, while Robert Redford and Jennifer Lopez also live their character amazingly and give a natural performance. The girl playing Jean's daughter is also terrific. Check it out if you wanna see a good family drama displaying the aspects of healing, redemption and forgiveness; and if you've patience.
    familiar s Super Reviewer
  • Dec 15, 2009
    Every secret takes on a life of its own!
    Wahida K Super Reviewer
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