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Life
Movie Stats & Links |
| Starring: |
Eddie Murphy, Martin Lawrence |
| MPAA Rated: |
R |
| Released By: |
Universal Home Video |
| Distributed By: |
Buena Vista Home Entertainment |
| Kiddie Movie: |
Lots of swearing. |
| Date Movie: |
Sure, she'll cuddle. |
| Gratuitous Sex: |
Nah. |
| Gratuitous
Violence: |
Some fighting. |
| Action: |
Nah. |
| Laughs: |
Yea. |
| Memorable
Scene: |
Nothing sticks out. |
| Memorable
Quote: |
Nothing sticks out. |
| Directed By: |
Ted Demme |
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Life
A Movie/DVD Review |
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Rated - R |
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It's 1:39 Long |
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| A Review by |
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Stu
Gotz |
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I really wanted to see this movie when it was out in the theaters
and now having seen it at home, on video, I'm really glad that I
didn't see it in the theatre. That's not to say that
""Life"" is a bad movie, rather that it was not
the movie I had expected it to be. My impression of what the movie
was going to be was fed by the movie publicity. That publicity, I
think, made the movie out to be a comedy rather than the light drama
that it was. It did have some funny moments, but that definitely was
not the direction the movie was headed.
"Life" starts out in New York City during the era of
prohibition. Eddie Murphy plays Ray, a black, wise-guy-want-to-be
aspiring to be a club owner. Martin Lawrence plays Claude, a hard
working, night school educated man, with aspirations of a better
life for himself and girlfriend. Both their dreams are dashed when
they run afoul of a black kingpin. To save their asses they do a
booze run down to Mississippi. There they are swindled, wrongfully
accused of murder, and sentenced to life in prison. While in prison
we are given a glimpse of southern prejudice, comments are made on
the lack of sufficient education provided to southern blacks at the
time, and of course the effects that long incarceration can have on
one's mind (a la "Shawshank Redemption" and "Escape
From Alcatraz"). The movie ends with the two main characters,
now very old, finally having escaped, and enjoying a hot dog at
Yankee Stadium. A lot worse for wear but not bitter. Indeed a nice
ending to a slow but poignant movie.
I liked "Life". It was a good but slow story that made
many good comments on society without getting on a soap box. It may
not have been the most original movie, having stolen themes from
movies like "The Great Escape," "Shawshank
Redemption," and "Escape from Alcatraz," but in doing
so the movie put things into a "black" perspective. I
liked "Life" and would recommend it as a good movie for a
light evening. All that being said I give "Life" 2.5 of 5
stars. It's a good film and I'm Stu Gotz. 'nuff said. |
