Life (1999)

Yes, this movie has plenty of funny moments, but there is a very real and sometimes rather touching story that takes precedence over everything that happens. You can't get through the most serious of situations without the palliative of laughter now and again, and Life actually does tell a serious story. Eddie Murphy proves once again that he is a great actor, and Martin Lawrence was surprisingly good as the more serious of two men sentenced to life in prison for a murder they didn't commit. One night in 1932, fate brought Rayford Gibson (Murphy), a smooth-talking hustler with big dreams, and Claude Banks (Lawrence) a respectable fellow about to start a good job, together in a New York nightclub. For entirely different reasons, both guys have to face the displeasure of the club owner's wrath; and so it is that Gibson and Banks end up going on a bootlegging run to Mississippi. One dead man later, and both men are sentenced to life in prison for murder. Since Banks blames Gibson for getting him into all this mess, there relationship varies in quality as the years go by, but gradually a real friendship develops between them. They try to escape several times but end up spending basically their whole lives in prison. Along the way, we meet with several sub-plots involving some of their fellow inmates, but the movie never strays far from the lives of Gibson and Banks. The passage of time is marked by clips of historical events, and some excellent makeup works makes both men look old and worn out as they advance into their senior years.

This is not a prison story of hopelessness, however. While no pardon ever comes their way, justice has a way of willing out eventually, and the final ten minutes of the film are just terrific. Since the story does take place in Mississippi in 1932 and beyond, race plays a major part in the film, but it does not define the movie by any means. There are a number of funny scenes, especially those involving pie and cornbread, and Eddie Murphy will definitely make you laugh Martin Lawrence sort of plays the heavy here to Murphy's periodic antics. Some familiar faces pop up in the movie: Rick James plays the New York club owner, Bernie Mac has a relatively minor role, and Heavy D plays a small but important part. Wyclef Jean contributes an original score for the film. The whole cast is excellent, and a very good script keeps the film on pace and lively.

This isn't Stir Crazy; there are plenty of laughs, but I wouldn't call this a comedy Life the movie is funny in the way life itself can sometimes be laughter can get us through the hard times, but it doesn't hide the fact that the hard times are there. This movie really deserves more attention than it has received; with its serious underlying quality, it ranks among Eddie Murphy's most impressive films.

I did enjoy this movie, even as I enjoyed Martin Lawrence and Eddie Murphy's more popular and critically acclaimed work. They are a pair of convicts, one of whom caught up after being "along for the ride", but jailed nonetheless for life in the South some fifty years ago. They do persevere after, through and despite any number of bad (some unbelievable) circumstances. Life in prison makes them close.

It is very different from my other favorite prison movie, Cool Hand Luke. Like C.H.L., the brutality of prison life is left mercifully for other films. There is one scene common to both, though, with the prisoners resolving their issue boxing in the prison yard with typical results.

As they age, their mutual disappointment makes their friendship ebb and flow from like to dislike and back (of course). Conservative Lawrence (yeah, him) not only blames the typically hustling Murphy for getting him into the situation in the first place. Murphy wants more assertiveness from his sidekick, vowing not to die having given up hope like his Father. As we know they must though, they find some hope, some enjoyment, and even some meaning in their circumstance.

Another reviewer hit the nail on the head: this movie was erroneously marketed. The trailers show hilarity, and lead one to think this is a true comedy. Those expecting just that may be disappointed (unless they go straight to the hilarious outtakes). But it is much much more.

Fantastic ending. Worth the price itself.

Buy Life (1999) Now

Definitely a wonderful movie, Life, brings to the screen the story of two New Yorkers, during Prohibition and the Great Depression, as they make their way to a small rural town in Mississippi, in order to stock up on some moonshine, which in turn is to be delivered to a NYC speakeasy.

The setting is the early 30's, specifically 1932, and it is a film about human relations, hope and second chances, but most importantly about how trust, friendship, endurance, and inner strength, can lead out of situations, which might seem bleak or desperate at first glance.

On the negative side, the only setback was the scene with the baby. They could have found another way to show the strong sense of solidarity that had developed.

Needless to say, Eddie Murphy, Martin Lawrence and the rest of the cast have truly outdone themselves with their performances, which are outstanding to say the least!

The film combines drama and humor, making it one of the best of its kind, and one that can be watched over and over again.

Life is sure to provide for an evening's entertainment.

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Both Murphy and Lawrence are quite fine in this warm and funny drama about a lifelong friendship behind the bars of a Southern prison camp during the depression. The make-up as they slowly age was deservedly Oscar-nommed. Both prove here they are fine actors as well as fine comedians. This is not an extraordinary work but it is quite competent and entertaining. Worth a watch.

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This movie is perhaps Eddie Murphy and Martin Lawrence's Sistine Chapel. That is a bold statement but this movie is so funny and such a good, well made movie. There are endless funny moments in this movie. I might be being biased because I love timeline movies a lot (ex. FORREST GUMP). This movie will also make you cry from sadness and laughter. I laughed out loud many times and (ALMOST) cried from emotion.

The movie has an all-star cast as well which can sometimes be disastrous (ex.NOTHING BUT TROUBLE). It hits every angle possible and could not have been done any better for what it was. And that is one great, funny movie that is one of my all-time favorites.

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