Fridae

Over the past decade, Swedish director Lasse Hallstrom has a made
a name for himself directing predictable and sentimental Hollywood
dramas like The Cider House Rules (1999), Chocolat
(2000) and The Shipping News (2001). In these fast-paced
and cynical times, not everyone can swallow such mushy melodramas.
But Hallmark Channel is still in business, which means there are
plenty of viewers who still can. For them, we recommend Lasse's
latest film.

An Unfinished Life is based on Mark Spragg's short novel
about family ties and forgiveness. It tells the story of a cranky
old man (Robert Redford) who lives on a ranch in Wyoming with his
former hired hand (Morgan Freeman). And although Wyoming is also
where you find Brokeback Mountain, these men are (unfortunately)
just straight, platonic friends.

Trouble begins when Robert's ex-daughter-in-law (Jennifer Lopez)
comes to stay with them. Robert hates Jennifer because he believes
she caused the death his son/her husband. Inscribed on that dead
man's tombstone are the words 'An Unfinished Life'. But thanks to
Jennifer's cute young daughter (Becca Gardner), the two find a way
to reconciliation.

Oops, did we just give the plot away? No worries. You would have
known what's going to happen since this is a Lasse Hallstrom film.
Everything about it is just so warm, familiar and predictable. But,
as we said, some people pay good money to watch this stuff.