accessAtlanta

Robert Redford, Morgan Freeman shine in 'An Unfinished Life'

See if this sounds familiar.

A feisty but troubled young woman intrudes on the lives of a grizzled but still drop-dead handsome older man and his best friend (played by Morgan Freeman). The latter was badly hurt a few years ago in an incident for which his buddy feels responsible.

Miramax Films 'An Unfinished Life' B- The verdict: Watching Redford and Freeman together is a pleasure. Director: Lasse Hallstrom Starring: Robert Redford, Morgan Freeman, Jennifer Lopez, Josh Lucas, Becca Gardner Run time: 100 minutes Release date: September 9, 2005 Rating: PG-13 for some violence including domestic abuse, and language. See showtimes On the web Official movie site View the trailer    Trailers require Quicktime [an error occurred while processing this directive]

Nope, it's not "Million Dollar Baby."

It's "An Unfinished Life," starring Freeman, Robert Redford and Jennifer Lopez. And it was completed before the Eastwood movie. No charges of plagiarism should be inferred, but it is interesting that Freeman could've just as easily won his Oscar for this as for Eastwood's film; the roles and circumstances are that similar.

However, "An Unfinished Life" mostly takes place on a ranch, not in a boxing ring. And there's no late-in-the-movie tear-jerking surprise.

But there is a bear.

The bear (Bart, namesake of his deceased ursine father, Bart the Bear) almost killed Mitch (Freeman), who's worked on Einar's (Redford) Wyoming spread for decades. Now Einar tends to him — injections for pain, breakfast, cups of coffee, company — and tries not to wince every time Mitch refers to "my" bear in a friendly, almost loving manner.

Lopez plays Jean, who, with her 11-year-old daughter, Griff (Becca Gardner), has fled yet another abusive boyfriend. She ends up at Einar's place because she has nowhere else to go. She was married to his son, Griffin, who's been dead for more than a decade.

Her father-in-law doesn't want her there, for reasons that become clearer as the movie progresses. One of the most important is, he hasn't been able to lay his son to rest. Every day, he sits by Griffin's gravestone, on which is carved "An Unfinished Life."

Of course, the true unfinished life is Einar's. He's buried himself along with his boy, unable to get past his bitterness, anger and grief. It's a sore point between him and Mitch, who tells his old pal he can't stand to "sit here every day and watch you mourn for the life you think you should've had."

"An Unfinished Life" has an old-fashioned solidity about it, a sure-footedness, if you will. It can be slow at times, but the movie knows what it's doing and how to do it, thanks to director Lasse Hallstršm and his capable cast. Lopez reminds us she was a pretty appealing presence before the Bennifer monster emerged. And not a bad actor, either.

Young Gardner is good, too, as is Josh Lucas in the admittedly unchallenging role of local sheriff/love interest.

But the movie is really about Redford and Freeman, whose easy, unforced grumpy-old-men rapport is as engaging as Freeman's was with Eastwood. Redford has let some age show — finally — and he looks a lot better than he did in the too-glossy and frankly idiotic "The Clearing." He's toned down the charm, enjoying the character's flinty, selfish side. He is still, however, hugely handsome, even with some old-guy stubble and the battered look of a former alcoholic.

Freeman is wonderful, as usual, imbuing the film with warmth and class. Of course, it's a character he's done before — and not just in "Million Dollar Baby." Yet he always finds something a little different in each role, something we haven't seen.

"An Unfinished Life" is about family and forgiveness. Not exactly new themes, but they're delivered by two of our best actors, men who've earned our affection and respect for years. Any chance to spend time with them should be welcomed.