MOVIEVIBE ← Back to Home

An Unfinished Life

2005 1h 48m
Drama
MOVIEVIBE Rating
6.8/10
724 reviews
Your Rating
An Unfinished Life

Stoic and heartbroken, Einar Gilkyson quietly lives in the rugged Wyoming ranchlands alongside his only trusted friend, Mitch Bradley. One day, the woman he blames for the death of his only son arrives at his door broke, desperate, and with a granddaughter he's never known. But even as buried anger and accusations resurface, the way is opened for unexpected connection, adventure, and forgiveness.

"Every secret takes on a life of its own."

Top Billed Cast

Robert Redford
Robert Redford
Einar Gilkyson
Jennifer Lopez
Jennifer Lopez
Jean Gilkyson
Morgan Freeman
Morgan Freeman
Mitch Bradley
Becca Gardner
Becca Gardner
Griff Gilkyson
Josh Lucas
Josh Lucas
Crane Curtis
Damian Lewis
Damian Lewis
Gary Winston
Camryn Manheim
Camryn Manheim
Nina
Lynda Boyd
Lynda Boyd
Kitty

Detailed Critic & Audience Reviews

P Peter McGinn Verified TMDB Critic
2021-05-21

I enjoyed watching this movie. It has the high quality I would expect from the director of What’s Eating Gilbert Grape, another movie that relies on a solid story and good acting to carry it through. The actors top to bottom are as good as they need to be. I especially like that the girl wasn’t turned into one of those witty, smart-mouthed sitcom brats you often see. The character is fairly serious and a few times comes out with an observation that is meaningful and believable. Like the comment to her grandfather that an old boyfriend of her mother only hit her Mom with words, like he did....

W Wuchak Verified TMDB Critic
2025-12-10

**_“How painful are honest words!”_**

Shot in the spring & early summer of 2003, this sat on the shelf for over two years before finally being released in September, 2005. The script was written by Mark Spragg & his wife Virginia, which was published as a book the year after shooting completed. The Spraggs married Redford’s “The Horse Whisperer” with “Of Mice and Men” (think Crooks living in the stable). There are also bits of Jennifer Lopez’ “Enough.”

It’s not as good as “The Horse Whisperer” or “Of Mice and Men,” but it’s still worth checking out if you ...