MY LIFE
A film review by Jon Ridge
Copyright 1993 Jon Ridge
CAST: Michael Keaton, Nicole Kidman, Haing S. Ngor SCREENPLAY: Bruce Joel Rubin DIRECTOR: Bruce Joel Rubin SCORE: John Barry RUNNING TIME: 1:52 RELEASE: November 12, 1993
It was, I believe, just around three years ago that a certain screenwriter by the name of Bruce Joel Rubin produced what ultimately became one of the most popular films of the year. You know the movie. Add to that one of the most talked about movies of its year, JACOB'S LADDER, and what you've got is a very talented individual. Now, in 1993, Rubin has created yet another heart-wrenching and emotionally stimulating script by the name of MY LIFE. The difference this time round is that in addition to writing the film, Rubin is credited with directorial status in order to give his film the touch of magic it needs.
The story surrounds an advertising executive named Bob Jones. As the film opens, right from the get-go, Jones has been diagnosed with cancer in his lungs. To complicate matters in his life even more, his wife, Gail (played beautifully by Nicole Kidman), is pregnant with their first child. And knowing that he may not be around long enough to see his baby's birth, Jones decides to video the part of his life he is currently living so that his child will have something by which to know him. A sweet notion.
However, Bob isn't willing to simply rest on his laurels. No, he goes through the full gamut of emotions from denial to confusion to final acceptance. This is a wonderful Michael Keaton performance, totally unlike anything he has shown audiences as of yet. And not only does he he bring poignancy to his dying-man role, he brings forth humor as well, so even the most cynical of cynics can appreciate something about his performance. Beside him all the way is Nicole Kidman. Kidman is a gorgeous actress, always it seems. And she has never been prettier than she is in MY LIFE. Of course, she can also act, and that gives her role of the wife a touching bit of emotion in itself. Gail stands by her husband through the roughest of times, with ample opportunity to leave at any time if so desired. But that isn't what she wants, and Kidman is the right actress to play the part of loving wife. When she tells Keaton, "You're the love of my life," we have no choice but to believe her.
In a way, MY LIFE is a bit of a let-down. I kept wanting a little grit along with all the poignancy, and the bit involving Keaton's toy shopping spree and rollercoaster ride at a park really have no place in such an otherwise heart-tugging movie. But I can't complain; for everything this film lacks it also has a lot to appreciate and an awful lot to like. Just try and keep from smiling when Keaton and Kidman try hard to get their newborn to sit upright without falling over. Just try to keep from crying your eyes out when Keaton finally tells his father that he loves him. Just try and not walk away from this film with an affirmation of life.
MY LIFE is a winner.
CRITICAL RATING: ***1/2
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