Sofia Carson takes center stage in “The Life Lists,” a movie that aims to tug at the heartstrings from the get-go, focusing all its emotional power on Carson and her character’s personal journey.
“The Life List” falls into the category of self-discovery films that audiences tend to love and critics, as a rule, often tear apart without much mercy. Directed by Adam Brooks, who also penned the screenplay, “The Life List” is based on the novel of the same name by Lori Nelson Spielman. The film follows Alex Rose (Carson), a woman in her thirties who finds herself at a crossroads, forced to reassess the direction of her life when she inherits an unusual task from her late mother: completing a “life list” she wrote when she was 13 years old.
The Cast
Alongside Sofia Carson as Alex Rose, the cast features Connie Britton as Elizabeth, Alex’s deceased mother, whose presence looms large over the story. Kyle Allen joins as Brad, the executor of Alex’s mother’s will, who becomes an unexpected ally in her journey of self-discovery. Federico Rodríguez plays Julián, Alex’s brother, and Sebastian de Souza takes on the role of Garrett, a psychologist working at a shelter where Alex volunteers to complete her list.
About the Movie
If you’re a fan of charming movies about kind-hearted, generous people full of tenderness, “The Life List” might be right up your alley. The film has a well-defined target audience and doesn’t aim to please everyone, but it knows how to play with the necessary script mechanisms to appeal to fans of romantic movies.
However, despite what you might read elsewhere, “The Life List” isn’t your typical romantic comedy. It has its moments of humor, but it distances itself from a purely comedic profile to focus on the central theme of self-discovery. The film tends to constantly show us the tender side of life and overcoming the loss of a mother. It’s an inner journey of self-discovery and, along the way, uncovering aspects of one’s personality that had been forgotten.
No, it’s not hilarious, and we won’t be laughing out loud, but viewers can connect with that intimate, personal self and delve into Alex’s personality, who is omnipresent in every scene.
Technically, it’s a well-directed film with no objections. Sofia Carson knows how to play a role in which she seems to specialize (the sensitive girl), and Connie Britton adds a touch of tenderness as the mother speaking from DVD recordings.
Our Opinion
Romantic comedy, sort of: don’t expect big laughs. If you’re into self-discovery movies full of tenderness, family values, and good feelings, “The Life List” will undoubtedly be to your liking.
Enjoy the show!
Where to Watch “The Life List”
