If you love neo-Western tales or eventraditional Westerntales, but are sick of theTaylor SheridanorNo Country For Old Menbrand of violent, cynical modern horse operas, then there’s a 2005 feature starringRobert RedfordandMorgan Freemanthat is an absolute must-watch. Helmed byWhat’s Eating Gilbert GrapedirectorLasse Hallström,An Unfinished Lifeis a remarkable tale based on the novel of the same name byMark Spragg, who co-wrote the screenplay alongside his wife,Virginia Korus Spragg. Of course, the big names involved are only window-dressing to get audiences in the door to this heartwarming picture that has been slept on for nearly 20 years.
‘An Unfinished Life’ Is a Beautiful Neo-Western About Forgiveness and Rebirth
An Unfinished Lifecenters on an old rancher named Einar Gilkyson (Redford), who for the past decade has wrestled with the death of his son, losing his wife, and his various failures as a cattleman. Somehow, Einar isn’t alone. His longtime friend and cowboy companion Mitch Bradley (Freeman) is there too, but Mitch was mauled by a bear a year prior, leaving Einar to take care of him. So, when his estranged daughter-in-law, Jean (Jennifer Lopezin one of her best performances), arrives back in Ishawooa, Wyoming along with his granddaughter, Griff (Becca Gardner)—named for her deceased father Griffin — things begin to change.It’s only when Einar and Griff form a bond that the old man’s hardened heart begins to give way, and he remembers the true joys to be had in living.
On the surface,An Unfinished Lifemight feel a bit Hallmark-y in the saddle, but that poor description doesn’t quite do this picture justice. Armed with powerful performances by Robert Redford, Morgan Freeman, and Jennifer Lopez,this 2005 drama offers equally harsh and hopeful meditations on life after loss. The unfinished life referenced in the title calls back to Einar’s son and Jean’s husband, Griffin Gilkyson (Trevor Moss), who died in a car accident when Jean fell asleep behind the wheel. you’re able to guess who Einar blames, and how grief has informed both of their lives in the aftermath. “We are not supposed to outlive our children,” longtime Ishawooa resident Nina (Camryn Manheim) tells Jean later in the film, and it’s clear that Einar can’t move past it. In fact, while Jean has been hopping from one abusive boyfriend to the next, Einar has pushed nearly everyone away, including his now ex-wife, who has found happiness and peace elsewhere.
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Loaded to the brim with themes of redemption, forgiveness, mortality, and healing,An Unfinished Lifeoften feels more akin toLittle House on the Prairiethan it does modern Westerns likeYellowstone— which is exactly why it feels so complete and satisfying when the credits roll. Sure, there’s still some gunslinging, ranching, andthe other usual suspects you’d expectin a neo-Western drama starring Robert Redford, but make no mistake, the charm ofAn Unfinished Lifeis the simplicity of it. Not only does the film echo a longing for a simpler time and place, but it reminds us that, even in such places, the complexities, nuances, and dangers of everyday living are as present as ever. Throughout the film, Mitch works to forgivethe bear that mauled him, even going so far as to convince Einar to set it free. Of course, Einar’s bear is a bit more metaphorical than that, and much harder for him to overcome. Nevertheless, the thread that author/screenwriter Mark Spragg masterfully weaves through this tale is one of hope and reformation, as Einar, Mitch, Jean, and Griff all come to terms with the unwelcome portions of their past before paving the way for a bright, new future.
Robert Redford and Morgan Freeman Deliver Powerful Performances in This Western Tale
Unfortunately,An Unfinished Lifegarneredgenerally mixed reviewsfrom critics, with many criticizing the film for being too on-the-nose or uninspired. Conversely,Roger Ebert praised the flickwith a three-out-of-four-star rating, noting that its earnest approach to the original story is what makes it work. While not exactly groundbreaking in its approach,An Unfinished Lifeis incredibly effective as a motion picture, in no small part due to the performances by its leading cast — which also includesJosh Lucasas the easily likable Sheriff Crane Curtis. Naturally,it’s Robert Redford and Morgan Freeman who really steal the show here, playing two men bound by time, duty, honor, and friendship, so much so that even Griff mistakes the nature of their relationship as something a bit more affectionate. The pair stick with one another through thick and thin, and it’s that dynamic — that constant pushing — that helps toss Einar over the edge of his emotional entrapment.
Aside from some of the sappiness of it all,there’sa great Western-style flarethat comes with Redford’s Einar Gilkyson(a name that means “one army” or “one warrior”). One particular stand-out moment is when Einar threatens one of Jean’s ex-boyfriends, Gary (Damian Lewis), at gunpoint, threatening to kill him if he comes back to town. “You’ve seen too many Westerns old man,” Gary says. “That doesn’t exactly work in your favor,” Einar replies, which feels as inspired as a line from Redford’s younger days inButch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid. If anything, though,An Unfinished Lifeis something a bit stronger thematically, and is a neo-Western tale that will easily enrapture your heart.
An Unfinished Lifeis available to rent on Prime Video in the U.S.
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An Unfinished Life
