X
- 1999
- R
- MCA/Universal Pictures
- 1 h 48 m
- 1999
- R
- MCA/Universal Pictures
- 1 h 48 m
Summary Spanning sixty years, this is the story of two friends who are wrongly convicted of murder and sentenced to life in prison at a Mississippi penitentiary.
Directed By: Ted Demme
Written By: Robert Ramsey, Matthew Stone
- 1999
- R
- MCA/Universal Pictures
- 1 h 48 m
- 1999
- R
- MCA/Universal Pictures
- 1 h 48 m
Life
63
6.9
Where to Watch
Summary Spanning sixty years, this is the story of two friends who are wrongly convicted of murder and sentenced to life in prison at a Mississippi penitentiary.
Directed By: Ted Demme
Written By: Robert Ramsey, Matthew Stone
Where to Watch
Top Cast
Metascore
Generally Favorable
Based on 20 Critic Reviews
63
55% Positive
11 Reviews
11 Reviews
45% Mixed
9 Reviews
9 Reviews
0% Negative
0 Reviews
0 Reviews
Metascore
Generally Favorable
Based on 20 Critic Reviews
63
55% Positive
11 Reviews
11 Reviews
45% Mixed
9 Reviews
9 Reviews
0% Negative
0 Reviews
0 Reviews
An uneven but extremely funny throwback.
By Justine Elias
FULL REVIEW
Demme (Monument Ave.) brings a sure hand with pace and structure to the soft-at-heart script by Robert Ramsey and Matthew Stone, allowing Murphy, Lawrence and company to sit back and focus on the job at hand -- making us laugh.
User Score
Generally Favorable
Based on 27 User Ratings
6.9
63% Positive
17 Ratings
17 Ratings
26% Mixed
7 Ratings
7 Ratings
11% Negative
3 Ratings
3 Ratings
User Score
Generally Favorable
Based on 27 User Ratings
6.9
63% Positive
17 Ratings
17 Ratings
26% Mixed
7 Ratings
7 Ratings
11% Negative
3 Ratings
3 Ratings
One of Eddie Murphys and Martin lawrences best films....perhaps theyre stongest it goes to show that life is a mother fu**er
Report
Imagine my surprise when I discovered that not only is Life funny (and at times downright hilarious), but it also offers a light portion of sweetened social commentary and a sometime-affecting buddy element.
This Life may not be everlasting, but it sure gives us a good run for our money.
Spend 60 years in jail with Eddie Murphy and Martin Lawrence, and you'll understand why they call it the pokey. [16 April 1999, Life, p.5E]
Life desperately wants to let Murphy and Lawrence be actors, but it can't imagine them as anything more than rowdy showmen. That's a kind of prison as well.
Sluggish, laugh-free comedy (or is it an ineffectual drama?).
Really funny, messed up and kind of sad. Back in like the 1930's getting charged for a murder they didn't commit. They get life, and spend life trying to figure out how to get out.
Report
[SPOILER ALERT: This review contains spoilers.]
Report
The thing I love about the movie Life is that it’s not completely a comedy. It’s what you would expect with a cast of comedians including, Eddie Murphy, Martin Lawrence, Bernie Mac and more. There are definitely funny parts but it also has a lot of sweet elements to it and a good plot. It’s a typical story of two strangers in completely different lives that are forced together, except, these two are forced together for life in a prison. The movie spans almost 60 years but it never feels slow. It’s a very enjoyable movie that is easy to see multiple times. Eddie Murphy and martin Lawrence give great performances and they work well together. I recommend it for anyone who wants a laugh and a good story.
Report
With a movie like Life we expect comedy and drama with it's cast, but Life comes pretty dark and comedic for a comedy.
Report
Awards
Academy Awards, USA
• 1 Nomination
Blockbuster Entertainment Awards
• 2 Nominations
Black Reel Awards
• 2 Nominations