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An Unfinished Life Our rating: Your rating: 1 2 3 4 Your Comments: see all MPAA rating: PG-13 (for some violence, including domestic abuse, and language) Theater release: September 09, 2005 by Miramax Directed by: Lasse Hallstrom Runtime: 1 hour 47 minutes Cast: Robert Redford (Einar Gilkyson), Jennifer Lopez (Jean Gilkyson), Morgan Freeman (Mitch Bradley), Josh Lucas (Sheriff Crane Curtis), Damian Lewis (Gary Watson), Camryn Manheim (Nina), Becca Gardner (Griff Gilkyson) Related: Talk About It/Family Corner

Early in An Unfinished Life, 11-year-old Griff Gilkyson pores over a map of America and suggests places she and her mother, Jean, can go to escape an abusive boyfriend. Loving, New Mexico, sounds good. Butte, Montana, sounds funny. And Aloha, Oregon, is only 10 inches away. Of course, at a map scale of 1 inch to 80 miles, Aloha is about 770 miles further than their broken-down car can travel. But young Griff's geographic math is an excellent introduction to a film that covers some sweeping emotional terrain one inch at a time. With a few notable exceptions, An Unfinished Life explores the power of forgiveness (and the lack thereof) through a series of small and nuanced moments exchanged between the wounded members of a fractured family.

Robert Redford and Morgan Freeman star as longtime friends

Mother and daughter end up not in Loving, Butte, or Aloha, but in Ishawooda, Wyoming, where Jean arrives unannounced at her father-in-law Einar's ranch and asks for some temporary shelter. Jean and Einar have been estranged for 12 years—ever since Jean lost her husband (and Einar lost his son) in a tragic car accident. Their reunion is tense. "I don't want you here," states Einar in greeting. "Neither do I," replies Jean flatly. But Einar is astonished to discover that Griff is the grandchild he never knew he had, and he grudgingly tells his long-lost family that they can stay in a junk-filled room in his basement.

Einar has spent the past 12 years frozen in grief and anger over his son's death, which he blames on Jean. The resulting emotional paralysis—and a corresponding drinking problem—have cost him his marriage and his cattle. All that is left are the ramshackle grounds of his homestead (the expansive ranchlands of Wyoming are played ably by Kamloops, British Columbia), a milking cow, an assortment of cats, and Einar's old friend and ranch-hand Mitch. But even Einar's camaraderie with Mitch is marked with tragedy: Mitch is covered in claw-marks from a bear-attack that took place a year earlier, and he needs Einar's constant care to cope with his injuries.

Jennifer Lopez, with Redford and Freeman, plays Redford's daughter-in-law

Lately, Einar has managed to find a fragile sobriety and equilibrium, enjoying the amiable crankiness of his friendship with Mitch (complete with fierce arguments over everything from games of cribbage to the weather) and daily visits to his son's grave. But Jean and Griff's arrival brings up painful memories that threaten to push Einar over the emotional brink, and to make matters worse, the bear has reappeared as well. Einar's attempt to shoot it is thwarted by Fish and Game officers, who tranquilize the creature and place it in a local makeshift zoo. Mitch insists that Einar go visit and then feed the animal that nearly killed him. Meanwhile, Einar's granddaughter Griff is slowly thawing her grandfather's heart, taking a genuine interest in western life, and approaching their relationship with an honesty that penetrates Einar's gruff exterior. The scene is set for a series of quests for liberation: bear from cage, woman from abusive boyfriend and self-blame, man from grief, rage and unforgiveness.

Robert Redford plays Einar effortlessly and does not deliver a false note in the entire film. Though the role was reportedly originally intended for Paul Newman, Redford's portrayal is so complete it is hard to imagine any other actor in the role. Equally compelling is Morgan Freeman as Mitch. Redford and Freeman have great fun together (and deliver a surprising number of real laughs given the serious subject matter) with some just-right grumpy banter scripted in a well-crafted adaptation of Mark Spragg's novel. Newcomer Becca Gardner is outstandingly authentic as the young Griff and gives the movie much of its heart. Jennifer Lopez, on the other hand, is passable as Jean but is less convincing than the other actors because we can feel her acting her role in contrast to Redford, Freeman, and Gardner's more transparent performances.

Becca Gardner and Jennifer Lopez with Redford

Director Lasse Hallstrom (Chocolat, What's Eating Gilbert Grape, The Shipping News, The Cider House Rules) is not particularly innovative with An Unfinished Life, choosing instead to let this story be told at a leisurely pace against a beautifully cinematic western backdrop. Some viewers may find the pace a little too leisurely, but there is a commendable honesty and maturity in this film's recognition that human hearts tend to move in inches rather than miles. Occasionally An Unfinished Life bites off more than it should chew: the bear metaphor gets taken a little far, the parallels in various character's lives are sometimes drawn too strongly, and Mitch's wisdom reaches a bit farther than is warranted (particularly at the movie's end). But ultimately, An Unfinished Life harvests genuine humor from well-drawn characters and authentic drama from a well-told story. It takes us on the journey from the stifling prison of resentment to the freedom and healing of reconciliation. It's a trip worth taking.

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