‘Life Itself’ is intense, heart wrenching and compelling

“Life Itself” is written, directed and produced by Dan Fogelman, creator of the Emmy-nominated “This is Us,” one of NBC’s most popular TV shows. Hollywood’s newest super-star, Oscar Isaac, leads an all-star cast that includes Annette Bening, Mandy Patinkin, Antonio Banderas, Jean Smart, Olivia Wilde and Samuel L. Jackson.

CinemaScore viewers gave this movie a very high mark while mainstream critics thrashed it. Sure, it’s emotionally manipulative and overly sentimental, especially with tragic loss. However, the picture creates a sprawling tapestry of multi-generational lives depicting life’s roller coaster journey of poignant, effective and affective events.

In less than two hours, the saga spans several decades, two continents and numerous lifestyles. Told in four discernable chapters, the first act begins with a cynical and foul-mouthed narration by Samuel L. Jackson. We’re not prudes, but the gratuitous and unwarranted profanity detracted from the otherwise serious storyline.

Meanwhile, in the NYC office of Dr. Cait Morris (Bening). Will (Isaac) tells a story of the love and loss of his beloved Abby (Wilde). In college, Abby asks, “You ever gonna ask me out?” He pauses, then responds, “I’m waiting for the right moment, ‘cause when I ask you out, there’s not gonna be any turning back for me. I’m not gonna date anybody else for the rest of my life. I’m not gonna love anybody else for the rest of my life.”

When Will asks Abby to marry, she questions if they have been dating long enough. Will explains, “I feel like I’ve shown incredible restraint waiting this long.” Abby responds, “I love you, but I may not be equipped to be loved this much.” Isaac displays his full range of acting chops, from hopeless romantic to emotional victim to institutionalized patient.

Each time we think we know what might happen, sudden and unexpected events explode on the screen. Sometimes, as in life, devastating events occur that seem too painful to bear. But, life goes on and so much is how we pick ourselves up. In the next chapter, daughter Dylan, named for Abby’s favorite “poet,” grows to be her own person.

Meanwhile, the following chapter tells of a wealthy Spanish landowner. Mr. Saccione (Antonia Banderas) owns olive orchards and takes a liking to Javier (Spanish actor Sergio Peris-Mencheta), one of Saccione’s best pickers. Spoken in Spanish with English subtitles, Saccione takes Javier under his wing. Their lives also take unexpected turns that include Javier’s wife Isabel (Laia Costa) and their young son Rodrigo (Alex Monner).

The final chapter finds a way to pull it all together with optimism and fate. It could also feel contrived, but at this point of heart-wrenching exhaustion, it just feels right. The story is heavy on dialog and narration, but always feels a sense of sincerity and conviction. Without preaching, the message is about the chaos of love and life itself.

This melodrama could be considered a two-hanky weeper, so attend accordingly. Life has enough ups and downs to inflict emotional whiplash but sometimes that’s how it can be for some people in real life. Each character is compelling. In his or her way, they display a sense of substance and passion about their unpredictable lives.

“Life Itself” is 118 minutes and rated R for language including sexual references, violent images and drug use. This movie is clearly not for everyone, but it is done exceedingly well. We’ve seen lots of couples go from college romance to marriage and the birth of a child, but this time, we see the journey reverberate over continents and lifetimes.

Bob Dylan’s “Make You Feel My Love” most recently recorded by Adele, contains a central message of the story. Fogelman examines the perils and rewards of everyday life, while celebrating the human condition and its complications, with poignancy, tragedy and love, even when some of it is so much psychobabble. The story is intense, heart wrenching and compelling, but really glad we don’t know these people.

Ron’s Rating: B+
Leigh’s Rating: B




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