A Film Review By Jason L. King
Starring: Angelina Jolie, Edward Burns, Tony Shalhoub
Directed By: Stephen Herek
Rated: Rated PG-13 for sexual content, brief violence and language
Final Grade: <
Reporter, Lanie Kerrigan (Angelina Jolie) thinks she has it all. The perfect job, house, and boyfriend. That is until she has an interview with a psychic homeless man (Tony Shalhoub) for a fluff piece about a football game’s score. Instead, he tells her that her life has no meaning, and is going to end in just a few days. Lanie then tries to find meaning to her life, and struggles with the idea of what does it all mean. With help from co-worker (Ed Burns) Lanie sparks to action, trying to change the pattern of her life in hopes that she will not die, and in the process learns about the joys life and love.
Life or Something like it is trying to make a statement. A statement that says sometimes you have to relax and enjoy life in order to truly understand it. It’s also trying to play off the whole idea of true love right under your nose. Does it do it? Maybe. Director Steven Herek (Mr. Hollands Opus, The Mighty Ducks, Rock Star) tried his hand at making another wonderful film but this time just seemed to fall just shy of making it great. Wonderfully casted, the film has potential, but overall that potential was wasted. Jolie, although worth looking at on the screen just doesn’t cut it in this film. Yes, I believe she is a good actress don’t get me worng, but putting a great actress in this role doesn’t make it any better than it can be with a crappy plot. Ed Burns (15 Minutes) is a man I am quickly beginning to like more and more as an actor and want to see more of him on the big screen in the future. He may not be the best actor but there is something that he brings to the screen that makes a movie worth watching. However, cast isn’t everything in a great film. Life or something Like it lacked storyline. It tried to play on the idea of a flashback, so right from the start you know Jolie’s character was going to have a near death experience. And as if it is no surprise Jolie suddenly finds her true love for life and others near the end, so of course how can you die when something like that happens?
So was the film worth the $$$$? My answer, no. Maybe a dollar theater or a rental, but this film just didn’t hold up. It was WAY too cheesy and with an extremely predictable and meaningless plot, Life or Something Like It is just another film that will get mixed reviews from viewers and critics. Overall, I think the movie did teach me something though, I will give it that. It taught me that the end of your life can come at any time, and all I can say is Dear God, please don’t let me die watching mediocre films in a movie theater.
