Dan Fogelman, the man behind the hit television drama “This Is Us,” makes his leap to the big screen with a film guaranteed to leave you just as moved and wounded as any episode of his Emmy winning series. “Life Itself” hit theaters on Sept. 21 and stars Oscar Isaac, Olivia Wilde, Antonio Banderas, Olivia Cooke, and other big names.
“Life Itself” is, at its roots, a single story and yet many at once. The film opens with the tale of Will (Isaac) and Abby (Wilde), two college sweethearts now married and pregnant with their first child. The events that led to their fairytale love are recounted by Will himself, who has been shattered by the abrupt and unforeseen decimation of his and Abby’s happy marriage. And just as Will’s story reaches its shocking climax, we fast forward several years into the life of his and Abby’s now fully-grown daughter, Dylan (Cooke). From there, we see, through a series of random happenings that ripple through time, how the utter destruction of one life can influence the beauty of another.
Now a young woman, Abby and Will’s daughter Dylan, played by Olivia Cooke, is beginning to see how her parent’s tragedy has shaped her life. @LifeItselfMovie
In true Fogelman style, the film is a single tale told from a non-linear perspective. The story leaps and bounds through time and moves seamlessly, almost inconspicuously, from past to present and, finally, to future. “Life Itself” demonstrates how the small, random incidences that occur in life can possibly have powerful results and repercussions. While a chance encounter that destroyed Will’s marriage, his entire world, in turn, becomes the very thing that shapes his daughter’s, the innocent actions of a family in Spain will have an unforeseen effect on the lives of another family a continent away in America. While Fogelman’s anticlockwise directorial technique may be at times challenging for some to follow, it makes for some stunningly artful, unique and refreshing imagery.
“Life Itself” addresses the idea of life, with all its unpredictability, as an unreliable narrator. Just like an erratic storyteller who confuses his audiences with inconsistency, life both astounds and infuriates those who live it with constant unanticipated changes that change the natural, desired course. Love, both new and old, is another important theme addressed in the film. Love comes in many ways and in many forms; it transcends time and continuously spills over from one generation into the next, unending. When we lose someone to the unpredictability of life, either in death or simply upon separating, their love remains; it becomes a part of us for us to cherish or share with others.
Inspired by Mr. Saccione (Antonio Banderas), young Rodrigo (Adrian Marrero) longs to visit New York City. @LifeItselfMovie
While the enchanting imagery, artful direction, and touching themes add significantly to the beauty of the film, it’s real dynamism stems from its characters and the actors that bring them to life. Oscar Isaac delivers an emotional gut-punch of a performance. His transition from the utterly desirable and adorkable doting dreamboat to an irreparably broken husk of a man is effective and raw. His deeply romantic everyman turned bitter and bruised cynic persona will have ladies (maybe even some men) pining then weeping for Will within the film’s first twenty minutes. Olivia Wilde is the perfect blend of exuberant and easy going and, while Antonio Banderas’ charms are subtle, they do not go unnoticed.
“Life Itself” is a rare gem of a film that radiates sorrow, beauty, and the promise of love. It is raw, powerful and deeply moving. Whether you see this film alone or in the company of a loved one, be sure to bring enough tissues to get you through the two hours because you’ll be sniffling from tragic start to beautiful finish. “Life Itself” gets five out of five paws.
