LIFE (1999)

Directed By: Ted Demme
Written By: Matthew Stone & Robert Ramsey
Cinematography By: Geoffrey Simpson
Editor: Jeffrey Wolf


Cast: Eddie Murphy, Martin Lawrence, Bernie Mac, Obba Babatunde, Barry Shabaka Henley, Brent Jennings, Lisa Nicole Carson, Anthony Anderson, Guy Torry, Ned Beatty, Bokeem Woodbine, Miguel A. Nunez Jr., Heavy D, Bonz Malone, Nick Cassavettes, R. Lee Ermey, Clearance Williams III, Sanaaa Lathan, Rick James, Poppy Montgomery


This film was onme of eddie Murphy's passion projects (He Doesn't Have many) him and his brother came up with the original script, but it was passed to different writers over the years. (Or so says Charlie murphy as neither is credited with story or writing credit). I remember first hearing about it around the time CB4 came out. Since Charlie Murphy had a supporting role in that film he was getting interviewed more then usual and sai that he was currently writing a script with his borther about prison called LIFE and over the years i waited and almost a decade later it finally was made. I didn't expect it to be a period piece however.

The film is about a Hustler and a bank employee who get forced to work together to pay off a new york mobster by driving bootleg booze from the south back to new york they get diostracted and end up losing their money in a card game when thye go to talk to the winner to convince him to give their money back he is dead. they are set-up and blamed for his murder sentenced to life in prison. over the decades they attempt to escape numerous times. Over the years they get to know each other and the other inmates. Will they ever get their freedom?, Will they ever prove their inniocence? you'll have to watch the film and see.

It's odd to see Martin Lawrence in more of the straight man role. He gets his time to do his comedy, but his is more the normal character. Martin Lawrence's comedic strenths are him usually going off the wall or being physical. Which he gets to do only less. He does pull his role off showing another side to him. Showing he can actually act.

Eddie Murphy get's to let loose in a full R-Rated glory. The man is one of the funniest people in the world (At least to me) Here he reminds you why you stay a fan of his. He is quick on his feet and can turn a phrase. his mind is always working yet he makes it look effortless. When he makes those PG or Family oriented films, While they are somewhat fun he is clearly hoaring himself out for a paycheck and making sure he leaves a legacy for a young generation to discover an remember him. It still feels like your married friend who was alot more fun when they were single. Now that they are married they are happy and seem the same, but lack that glimmer in their eye. Everything has to be planned in advance and has to get hoem by a certain time. His forays into more adult oriendted comedy as rare as it is feels again like that married friend going through a seperation or on the rare guy's night out.

You would think with the stars and supporting cast of stand-ups and comedic actors. This film would be a laugh riot but then i think of HARLEM NIGHTS. I think eddie murphy wisely learned from that film that having comedic heavyweights all together in one film is not all a movie needs to succeed and be enjoyable. Sure i'm sure it's a fun set where the best material is not on film. The film also needs a good plot and to create characters and moments. Which is why this film succeds and the other one did not.

Now this film could have been improvised for most of it, But wisely the film sticks to it's script and the drama of the situations. While letting the characters and actors comedically riff once in awhile, When they riff look out it's like a freestlye jame only with comedy. Luckily it is all in character and doesn't immediately take you out of the film.

I saw this film in theaters repeatedly because i could not get over how funny it was, Plus i worked in a movie theater so i could see it as many times as i wanted for free. I would always try to cionvince other friends to come watch it to just witness the return of Eddie Murphy (Again) as the movie was a hit it was not too hard to convince them to see it plus for free.

There are plenty of memorable moments in the film. Also there are many memorable characters. The film though a comedy has it's moments of deperation and heartbreak. Letting dramatic moments seep in now and then. While not the laugh riot one would expect the film is pretty satisfactory and is much better in quality then many might have thought.

Now the late Great Ted Demme was not the best director nor was he a hack though. He had a good eye for nmaterial as most of the films he directed i like for on, me reason or another most are comedies. Really good comedies. I wish he would have lived longer before being struck down so young. He definately would have been a director to watch or at least one i would feel comfortable in the driver's seat of a film. His Films were THE REF, BEAUTIFUL GIRLS, WHO'S THE MAN, BLOW, MONUMENT AVE

A definite Addition to the film library

GRADE: B+