An Unfinished Life

Play trailer

An Unfinished Life

PG-13

Released Sep 9, 2005

1h 47m

Drama

Play Trailer

Watchlist

Watchlist

Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

53%

Tomatometer

139 Reviews

67%

Popcornmeter

50,000+ Ratings

Einar (Robert Redford), a recovering alcoholic rancher who lives with his loyal pal Mitch (Morgan Freeman), gets an unexpected visit from his daughter-in-law, Jean (Jennifer Lopez), and granddaughter, Griff (Becca Gardner). Einar holds a grudge against Jean because he feels she's responsible for his son's accidental death, but he reluctantly lets her stay at the farm when he learns that she's trapped in a violent relationship. Over time, they grow closer and try to heal their emotional wounds.

Watch on Fandango at Home

Buy Now

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.

Read Critics Reviews

Namrata Joshi

Outlook

Redford and Freeman try their level best to raise the film above its innate mediocrity, they do strike a nice on-screen rapport but can do little beyond that.

Rated: 1/4

Jan 10, 2019

Full Review

Mark Kermode

Observer (UK)

There's a touching subplot about Redford's relationship with Morgan Freeman's crippled ranch-hand, and some nonsense about the capture and liberation of an enigmatic bear.

Jan 20, 2007

Full Review

Time Out

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

Felix Vasquez Jr.

Cinema Crazed

Sure, it's a glorified Hallmark movie with a great cast, but in spite of it all, An Unfinished Life struck a chord with me.

Apr 29, 2009

Full Review

Kam Williams

Princeton Town Topics

A modern-day Western from Lasse Hallstrom which doesn't measure up to the best of the three-time Oscar-nominee's work, but is, nonetheless, a beautifully filmed panoramic production with a plot compelling enough to recommend.

Rated: 3/4

Jul 16, 2007

Full Review

Prairie Miller

Long Island Press

It's any director's job to tell the actors how to feel, but never a good idea to ask the same of the audience.

May 9, 2007

Full Review

Read all reviews

J M

J Lo fans troll all her movies rating every one highly when most of them subpar & her acting is semi realistic at best; don’t get me wrong she’s a beautiful face, just not a great actress.

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

09/03/24

Full Review

Matthew W

This is a much better movie than many reviews suggest. The script is tight and content to suggest rather than spell out the characters’ emotional development. The locations are beautiful. The spare dialogue is reminiscent of a stage piece, which in my view explains why the acting has been (unfairly) criticised. I enjoyed enough to watch it again.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

05/13/24

Full Review

Scott B

Very, very under-rated. I think it was one of Redford's very best; Jennifer Lopez does a fine job as well.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

03/04/24

Full Review

Michael N

Just watched unfinished life on New Year's eve day of 23! That was a great show so sick of marvel, movies, and computer, animated shows. Very down to earth great settings, background, and acting.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

01/01/24

Full Review

John M

The fact of the mediocre ratings for this fantastic movie only proves how spoiled moviegoers were in this Era. We watch this movie every couple of years and it still holds your attention. It's an incredibly underrated gem if a movie.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

05/18/23

Full Review

Troy J

I enjoyed the movie. Always like Robert Redford. Morgan Freeman also but his part was a little chopped. JLo is good but I've seen her act better. Movie is ultimately heartwarming.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

01/19/23

Full Review

Read all reviews

Read More

Read Less

POST RATING

WRITE A REVIEW

EDIT REVIEW

Lasse Hallström

Director

Robert Redford

Father-in-law

Morgan Freeman

Mitch Bradley

Jennifer Lopez

Jean Gilkyson

Becca Gardner

Griff Gilkyson

Josh Lucas

Sheriff Crane Curtis

Show Less Cast & Crew

Show More Cast & Crew

The Mighty

75%

79%

The Mighty

Watchlist

Million Dollar Baby

90%

90%

Million Dollar Baby

Watchlist

The Cider House Rules

71%

77%

The Cider House Rules

Watchlist

Dreamland

67%

65%

Dreamland

Watchlist

Canvas

77%

62%

Canvas

Watchlist

Discover more movies and TV shows.

View More

Jennifer Lopez’s 10 Best Movies

Review Roundup: Gotham, Scorpion, Madam Secretary

RT Podcast: Ep. 055 – New movies & TV, plus Liam Neeson & Kevin Smith interviews

View more photos

Synopsis

Einar (Robert Redford), a recovering alcoholic rancher who lives with his loyal pal Mitch (Morgan Freeman), gets an unexpected visit from his daughter-in-law, Jean (Jennifer Lopez), and granddaughter, Griff (Becca Gardner). Einar holds a grudge against Jean because he feels she's responsible for his son's accidental death, but he reluctantly lets her stay at the farm when he learns that she's trapped in a violent relationship. Over time, they grow closer and try to heal their emotional wounds.

Director: Lasse Hallström
Producer: Leslie Holleran, Alan Ladd Jr.
Screenwriter: Mark Spragg, Virginia Korus Spragg
Distributor: Miramax Films
Production Co: Miramax Films, The Ladd Company, Revolution Studios
Rating: PG-13 (Language|Domestic Abuse|Some Violence)
Genre: Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Sep 9, 2005, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Aug 26, 2016
Box Office (Gross USA): $8.5M
Runtime: 1h 47m
Sound Mix: Surround

Most Popular at Home Now