AN UNFINISHED LIFE (2005)

Directed by Lasse Hallstrom. Starring Robert Redford, Morgan Freeman, Jennifer Lopez, Camryn Manheim, Josh Lucas, Becca Gardner, Damian Lewis. Drama. Synopsis: A young woman flees her abusive boyfriend with her daughter and goes to rural Wyoming, where she asks to be taken in by her former father-in-law and his disabled friend, knowing that her deceased husband's father still blames her for the death of his son. 

An Unfinished Life is an excellent story that is parts drama, romance, and western. The story is good and real, there is something there for almost anyone to relate to in experience or circumstances that we have thought about.

Jean (Jennifer Lopez) is a young mother who is in a terribly abusive situation, and our story starts with her just having received a beating from her boyfriend, Gary (Damian Lewis Band of Brothers). There is a poignant scene where her daughter, Griff (Becca Gardner) pleads with her that she promised they would leave if it happened once more. So, off they go, but to where?

Well, they leave Iowa with an unformed plan but, not having many options, head to Wyoming, where we learn, along with Griff, that she has a grandfather named Einar (Robert Redford  The Sting, Sneakers). Jean was married to Griff's father who was killed in an auto accident before Griff was born...and Jean was driving. Making it even more interesting is the fact that Einar does not even know about Griff and is pretty up front in his desire that Jean not stay with them...the "them" being Einar and his best friend Mitch (Morgan Freeman Glory, Lucky Seven), who is disabled after being mauled by a bear.

The other important characters in this story are Nina (Camryn Manheim Sudden Impact The L Word) who Jean befriends at her waitressing job and the local Sheriff (Josh Lucas Glory Road) who might just become the new man in Jean's life.

You would predict that a significant subplot would be the pursuit of Jean by Gary and you're right, but the story is much richer than that. The relationships of Einar: with his daughter-in-law who he refuses to forgive; his new found granddaughter, and his friend who he primarily takes care of carry the film. Redford is amazing here and a much more gruff character than he usually plays. Morgan Freeman is in a characteristic role: wise and commanding of respect.

I must say that I have never been a big fan of Lopez, never really into the whole "J-Lo" thing. But, I have to admit that she is a very good actress...at least in this film. And you've got to respect her willingness to go for it here in a role that is as far from glamorous as you can get.

There is something here for everyone, we all have unfinished business, regrets, and possibly relationships out there that we know need to be mended. This flick does a nice job of telling a story of people with all of those things and more.

Excellent movie.