Life Itself
Life Itself

Life Itself

2018Movie118 minEnglish

As a young New York couple goes from college romance to marriage and the birth of their first child, the unexpected twists of their journey create reverberations that echo over continents and through lifetimes.

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Insights

IMDb6.4/10
Rotten Tomatoes25%
Metacritic33
Google Users65%
Director: Dan FogelmanGenres: Drama, Romance

Plot Summary

This sprawling drama follows multiple interconnected characters across decades, exploring the themes of love, loss, and the unpredictable nature of life. It weaves together the stories of couples and families, highlighting the profound impact of seemingly small events and the enduring search for meaning and connection.

Critical Reception

Life Itself received largely negative reviews from critics, who often criticized its excessive sentimentality, convoluted plot, and heavy-handed emotional manipulation. While some acknowledged the strong performances and Fogelman's ambition, the overall consensus was that the film failed to deliver a cohesive or emotionally resonant narrative.

What Reviewers Say

  • Criticized for its overly sentimental and melodramatic tone.
  • The interconnected storylines were often seen as convoluted and predictable.
  • Despite strong acting, the film's emotional impact was widely considered manipulative.

Google audience: Google users had a more mixed reaction, with many appreciating the emotional journey and the performances, particularly Oscar Isaac and Olivia Wilde. However, a significant portion of viewers found the plot to be overly dramatic and depressing, with some suggesting it felt unrealistic and overly sentimental.

Fun Fact

Dan Fogelman, known for creating the hit TV show 'This Is Us,' wrote and directed 'Life Itself' as a personal project, wanting to explore similar themes of love and family over extended periods.

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My Review

TMDB Reviews

3 reviews
Ben

Ben

Dan Fogelman's Life Itself is as horrible and wonderful as life itself.
Peter McGinn

Peter McGinn

I enjoyed this movie. At times it felt like it was trying to say too much, but still it succeeds in saying a lot of it. I don't think this movie is as bad nor as good as some of the reviews I read before watching it. One negative for me ...
cityguide

cityguide

This Is Us creator Dan Fogelman wrote and directed this tear-jerking rom-dram, which looks eerily familiar to the NBC series, give or take a couple A-list cast members (Olivia Wilde, Oscar Isaac, Annette Bening, Mandy Patinkin, Antonio Band...