Rent An Unfinished Life (2005)

Solid & Very Watchable Drama - An Unfinished Life review by GI

A rather engaging and beautiful film about family and forgiveness, brilliantly acted and quite heart warming without falling too much into cliché. Jennifer Lopez plays Jean who is forced to flee from her abusive boyfriend, Gary (Damian Lewis) and with nowhere to go she takes her 11 year old daughter, Griff (Becca Gardner) to the rundown ranch of her former father in law, Einar (Robert Redford). This is a risk because Einar blames her for the death of his son in a car crash and he is unaware that he had a granddaughter. The film charts the gradual healing of their relationship and the bonding of Griff and her Grandfather helped by Einar's friend, Mitch (Morgan Freeman). The tension of the film comes from Gary eventually showing up. The cast all gel really well together and the Lopez and Redford have a strong screen charisma as they navigate around their emotional conflicts. It's ultimately a story about reconciliation and a rather lovely one too.