THE LIFE LIST – Review by Lynn Venhaus
Subtle, it’s not. But The Life List works on several levels – as a romantic comedy, a nudge to put your relationship with your mother in perspective, and as an evaluation checklist on your life so far – where you were, where you are now, and where are you going.
Based on Lori Nelson Spielman’s 2013 bestseller, The Life List is adapted and confidently directed by Adam Brooks.
We follow The Roses, a family in Brooklyn, New York. The matriarch is played with panache by the wondrous Connie Britton – is there anything she can’t do? As the beautiful and successful Elizabeth, she runs a cosmetics company.
Her two sons, both Type A achievers in their own high-powered careers, and her youngest daughter Alex (Sofia Carson), who works for Mom on the beauty brand after giving up teaching, are grown and they’re all heavily involved in each other’s lives. Alex and Elizabeth are very close – it’s obvious they converse often and with purpose.
Elizabeth’s illness has returned, and its terminal. After her passing, the family reads the will. She has made an unusual stipulation for Alex — that she can receive her inheritance after she completes a list of life goals that she wrote when she was 13.
It will be administered by the executor of Elizabeth’s estate, Brad (Kyle Allen) and he’s a fresh-faced young lawyer that Alex is immediately skeptical about, but lo and behold, they become fast friends.
Of course, you know where this is headed, especially after learning “Find True Love” is last on the list. The clock is ticking. Alex has a live-in boyfriend named Finn who is all wrong for her. We know it. She doesn’t.
But she will soon discover the mismatch, and she meets a very handsome, smart and charming psychologist Garrett (Sebastian de Souza). He works at Esther House, a women’s shelter, where Alex is teaching.
Again, you know where this is headed. Garrett may be what’s considered “a good catch” (do people still say that?) — but eventually, he has issues with Alex’s closest friends. So now, we’ve hit a detour because the goal post is set for deal breakers.
On the plus side, as Alex rediscovers her dreams that she had forgotten or abandoned, she has renewed determination. It’s exhilarating to see her check off that list of ‘To-Dos.” As if we need motivation too.
For one thing, every time a goal is accomplished, Mr. Good Guy hands her a DVD that her mother recorded for her. So, in this way, she stays connected to her mother. This wise woman was frustrated that Alex was aimless, and she wanted to ignite her spark again.
Along her journey, Alex also finds out – gasp! – family secrets that shake up her world.
Can you discover your best self as you go through the stages of grief?
While she rediscovers her passion for teaching, which obviously is a good thing, Alex’s list gets a tad complicated as she navigates romance. The path becomes a rocky road.
But her mother’s recorded pep talks are always welcome, a wonderful link to her past, and inspiration for her current situation. Mom can still parent from beyond the grave, and that’s a heart-tugging development because Moms Always Know Best (most of them anyway).
Through 2 hours and 5 minutes, we’ve been on this road trip too. We’re rooting for the relatable Sofia, hoping she gets her act together and finds the true love that has eluded her. But will she? Or will she decide she doesn’t need a guy to feel whole. I’m not spoiling anything now.
These modern women are assertive that way. But they also fret about their lives not living up to the massive expectations everyone seems to set for them, or these unrealistic images (Kardashians, anyone?).
And you want to encourage them to work through their anxiety and learn to be thrilled about the glass half-full. Because they have many fine qualities to be proud of – and too many insecure doubters. Another lesson learned here.
It’s not as if the filmmakers wave a magic wand and everything’s hunky-dory – after all, this is not a fairy tale — but the sweet story is satisfyingly wrapped up with a big bow. It has appealing elements, most notably its winsome heroine, who unearths some gumption and gets back on the path to self-fulfillment.
Carson, who has Disney princess credits, is a plucky presence. Allen, who was charming in Map of Tiny Perfect Things and part of the energetic ensemble in Spielberg’s West Side Story, is sturdy support as the reliable Brad.
If this is part of a welcome rom-com renaissance, I’d like to see that happen. After last year’s engaging The Idea of You, Red, White and Royal Blue, and My Old Ass, I’m ready to indulge in some comfortable nostalgia and wistful escape.
The filmmakers are not reinventing the genre here. Just doing the romantic and the comedy in an enjoyable and appealing way.
The Life List begins streaming on Netflix March 28.
