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That's Life!

Play trailer Poster for That's Life! PG-13 Released Oct 10, 1986 1h 41m Comedy Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
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60% Tomatometer 15 Reviews 51% Popcornmeter 1,000+ Ratings
A well-to-do architect, Harvey Fairchild (Jack Lemmon) should be happy, but he's depressed and dreading his impending 60th birthday party. Meanwhile, his supportive wife, Gillian (Julie Andrews), endures a crisis of her own as she waits to hear back on tests for throat cancer, a condition that would threaten both her health and her singing career. As Harvey's birthday weekend progresses, the couple contends with these and other issues, and their problems threaten to eclipse the celebration.
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That's Life!

Critics Reviews

View All (15) Critics Reviews
Roger Ebert Chicago Sun-Times That's Life has many moments of truth and some good performances. But it's not all of a piece; not every scene seems to have been thought through on the same level. Tone is everything in a film like this. Rated: 2.5/4 Jan 1, 2000 Full Review Dan Webster Spokesman-Review (Washington) Despite its obvious autobiographical base, the affluent setting and the occasional typical excesses of Lemmon, the film strikes a core of emotion that's hard to resist. Rated: 3.5/4 Jul 27, 2024 Full Review David Nusair Reel Film Reviews ...a meandering, hit-and-miss endeavor that benefits substantially from its predictably stellar performances... Rated: 3/4 Feb 20, 2021 Full Review Ángel Fernández-Santos El Pais (Spain) The short script lacks originality, but the abilities of the director and actor allow it to stay afloat. [Full Review in Spanish] Jun 25, 2020 Full Review Lori Hoffman Atlantic City Weekly Rated: 3/5 Apr 6, 2007 Full Review Chuck O'Leary Fantastica Daily Rated: 3/5 Aug 4, 2005 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

View All (14) audience reviews
Eloise J Despite mixed reviews I found it to be a beautiful and touching film. The actors performances were wonderful and I highly suggest reading a little bit about Julie Andrews and Blake Edward’s lives before watching, it really helps you appreciate the film and it’s very personal and emotional connection to the family. It’s also good to note that Julie and Blake’s own daughters played the daughters in the film and the movie was even filmed in their own home. This movie is one of the few movies that really made me cry, which is a good thing when it comes to movies, but it also made laugh and made me anxious and happy and mad just like life does, which is what this movie is about in the grand scheme of things, and we can all relate to life. All in all this movie has humility and is an emotional roller coaster, it’s definitely worth the watch. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 08/30/24 Full Review Ian C From the moment Jack Lemmons character starts talking,he is very irritating,self absorbed and boring..and continues to be to the bitter end..I was actually really hoping his doctor would find something seriously wrong with him,to shorten this film.I'm usually a fan of Lemmon,but this was a total Lemon.Probably his worst film and most irritating,unsympathetic character,with all the over the top acting mannerisms,which need turning down.Do not watch more than 15 mins of this tripe,switch it off,and put on The China Syndrome,or Missing or even Save the Tiger to reinstall yer faith in Jack Lemmon...🍋🍋🍋🍋🍋 Rated 1 out of 5 stars 02/23/24 Full Review Audience Member The argument deals with life, and we all can relate to the overall life and existential problems depicted in this movie. Well, that's pretty much it. The acting is good at times, not convincing at others. Julie Andrews is not always the most convincing as a tormented woman or a selfless mother and wife. Overall, not much in this movie is convincing or very well developed. We end up the movie by knowing little about most characters, but they are overall not particularly interesting. We have a glimpse of their problems but we truly don't know much of the specifics. but again when dealing with universal feelings about life and death, perhaps " enough is said" even when not much is said. Rated 3 out of 5 stars 02/03/23 Full Review steve d I found the characters surprisingly unlikable and the same with the film Rated 2 out of 5 stars 03/30/23 Full Review Audience Member Father of the house approaches his 60th birthday and freaks out because of his age, illnesses he imagines to have, etc., and infects everybody with his mostly groundless extroverted sickness phobias, while his wife silently suffers from suspected cancer. In a humorous and light fashion the film studies the way people deal with their concerns. Nothing particularly good. Rated 3 out of 5 stars 01/12/23 Full Review Audience Member All of the emotional moments between Lemmon and Andrews work because of the affection we feel toward the actors, not because of the script or anything about the characters per se. The rest of the film is fairly dull and at times annoying. Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars 02/20/23 Full Review Read all reviews
That's Life!

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Movie Info

Synopsis A well-to-do architect, Harvey Fairchild (Jack Lemmon) should be happy, but he's depressed and dreading his impending 60th birthday party. Meanwhile, his supportive wife, Gillian (Julie Andrews), endures a crisis of her own as she waits to hear back on tests for throat cancer, a condition that would threaten both her health and her singing career. As Harvey's birthday weekend progresses, the couple contends with these and other issues, and their problems threaten to eclipse the celebration.
Director
Blake Edwards
Producer
Tony Adams
Distributor
Columbia Pictures
Production Co
Ubilam Productions, Blake Edwards, Paradise Cove Productions, Delphi V Productions
Rating
PG-13
Genre
Comedy, Drama
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Oct 10, 1986, Original
Release Date (Streaming)
Sep 27, 2018
Box Office (Gross USA)
$3.6M
Runtime
1h 41m
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