Review of Life (1999) by Jason D — 14 Apr 2010

In Life, straight and narrow Martin Lawrence accidentally gets mixed up with grifting bootlegger Eddie Murphy, who are forced to ride together from fun party lifestyle of Harlem to the deep racist Mississippi to smuggle some booze.

As luck would have it, both are wrongfully convicted for a murder they didn't commit and are charged with life in prison. In their new prison home, they meet an eclectic bunch of other prisoners (played by the likes of Bernie Mac, Miguel A.

Nunez, Obba Babatund, and Anthony Anderson, etc) but also get to know each other better, which usually results in a lot of bickering and fighting. Over the next many, many years, the two attempt several failed escape plans that are sometimes comical but always have their sad moments (which are kinda hidden under the comedy) given their situations.

Overall, Life is a heartfelt, but enjoyably hilarious comedy that pairs two comic legends in a pic that comes off much more than just your standard buddy flick. Not only that, but the supporting cast is amazing and help to further the amount of laughs found in this movie.

It's a fun movie and I enjoy it immensely. Definitely successful direction from gifted late director Ted Demme, who was a real talent whose films (The Ref, Blow, Who's the Man) often didn't get all the credit they deserved.

Good stuff.