| Product Summary | | Publisher: Buena Vista | | Format: DVD | | UPC: 00786936278118 | | Buy.com Sku: 202216395 | | Item#: V2936G | | Buy.com Sales Rank: 28646 | | Category Keywords: Bears Theatrical Release | Rating:  |
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Features: DVD, Widescreen, Aspect Ratio 2.40:1, Dolby Digital (5.1), Spanish, Subtitled, French, Dubbed
From the acclaimed director of Casanova, Chocolat, and the Cider House RulesOrdinary People, 1980) and Morgan Freeman (Best Supporting Actor, Million Dollar Baby, 2004) star in this powerful story of risk and redemption. Stoic and heartbroken, Einar Gilkyson (Redford) quietly lives in the rugged Wyoming ranchlands alongside his only trusted friend, Mitch Bradley (Freeman). Then suddenly, the woman he blames for the death of his only son arrives at his door broke, desperate, and with a granddaughter he's never known. But even as buried anger and accusations resurface, the way is opened for unexpected connection, adventure, and forgiveness. Also starring Jennifer Lopez (Shall We Dance?) and Josh Lucas (Sweet Home Alabama, Glory Road).
"Poignant and well-acted, it offers heartfelt moments leavened by subtle humor. " Claudia Puig, USA Today
"...it's an opportunity to remember how, in the right circumstances, on-screen characters can touch our hearts." James Berardinelli's ReelViews
"It's not often noted, but Redford plays anger well." Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times
Editor's Note
Lasse Hallstrom (CHOCOLATE, CIDER HOUSE RULES) directs an all-star cast in this melancholy tale of bitterness and redemption, played out against the beautiful backdrop of rural Wyoming. Jean Gilkyson (Jennifer Lopez) is a single mom on the run from her abusive boyfriend, Gary (Damian Lewis). With nowhere else to go, she and her young daughter, Griff (Becca Gardner), travel to the ranch owned by Jean's father-in-law, Einar (Robert Redford). Jean and Einar have been estranged since the accidental death of Griffin, Einar's son, which he has always blamed on Jean. A crusty old cowboy, Einar lives a rustic existence--working his land, minding his own business, and getting into the occasional noble fistfight on his trips into town. He follows a strict routine that involves paying daily visits to his son's grave and caring for Mitch (Morgan Freeman, BATMAN BEGINS), a ranch hand who has been bedridden since being mauled by a bear a year ago. But when Jean shows up with a granddaughter he never even knew he had, Einar's world begins to change, and old wounds begin, reluctantly, to heal. Meanwhile, Jean gets a job working at the local diner, Gary comes looking for her, and her dalliance with the handsome police chief, Crane (Josh Lucas), just might blossom into something more. But none of them can move on with their lives until Mitch confronts the beast that came close to destroying him. The relationship between Mitch and Einar is the most fascinating aspect of the film: the two men have spent a lifetime together, and though they constantly nag one another, they obviously share a deep bond. Morgan Freeman plays a role that by now comes naturally to him--a beatific wise man who sees into the souls of others, and whose dreams provide a mystical backdrop to the action. The plucky Gardner turns in an unsentimental show-stealing performance as Griff, who coaxes her grandfather back to life and ultimately delivers a message of hope and an intimation of the meaning that can be found in life's random cruelties.
| Features | Audio: English Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround Sound | | Feature Commentary With Director Lasse Hallstrom, Producer Leslie Holleran, & Editor Andrew Mondshein | | Interactive Menus | | Photo Gallery | | Scene Selection | | Subtitles: English, French, Spanish | | The Making Of "An Unfinished Life" | | Training Bart The Bear |
| Technical Info
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Release Information
| | Studio: Buena Vista |
| Release Date: 12/26/2008 |
| Running Time: 107 minutes |
| Original Release Date: 2005 | | Catalog ID: 3966903 | | UPC: 00786936278118 | | Number of Discs: 1 |
Audio & Video
| | Original Language: English | | Available Audio Tracks: English | | Available Subtitles: Spanish | | Video: Color |
Aspect Ratio | | Widescreen 2.40:1 |
| Cast & Crew
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| | Professional Reviews | USA Today
"AN UNFINISHED LIFE, like its rural Wyoming setting, is deceptively slow-paced. But, like its feisty main character, superbly played by Robert Redford, it packs a powerful punch." 09/09/2005 p.7DWidescreen Review
"[T]he picture has an organic, easy-on-the-eyes appearance that is complementary to the setting and storytelling." 06/01/2006 p.67 Sight and Sound
"[O]ne of the chief joys of AN UNFINISHED LIFE is the stealth with which it builds to its climax....Oddly affecting." 07/01/2006 p.78 USA Today 8 of 10
"An Unfinished Life" doesn't succumb to the emotional dumbing-down that has become the norm in movies. Poignant and well-acted, it offers heartfelt moments leavened by subtle humor. - Claudia Puig
Chicago Sun-Times 8 of 10
The unfinished life in the title at first seems to refer to Einar's dead son. Then we realize the death has put Einar, Jean, Mitch and Griff all on hold. Until they deal with it, they can't get on with things. How they deal with it is not original, but it is sincere and the actors are convincing. I was not quite as ready for the solution involving the bear, not after seeing "Grizzly Man" and remembering Werner Herzog's scary narration: The "blank stare" of a bear, he says, reveals not wisdom but "only the half-bored interest in food." While it is reasonable for bears to want to be free, it may not be reasonable for humans to want to live close to free bears. - Roger Ebert
Austin Chronicle 7 of 10
While "An Unfinished Life" never transcends its simple storyline to charter original ground, it's the kind of movie that you can't fault too terribly much, primarily because its heart seems to be in the right place. Though it's not the memorable swan song that the departing Weinstein brothers might have wished for upon leaving Miramax at year's end, An Unfinished Life is nevertheless an honorable one. - Steve Davis
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