Life
(1999)
This
comedy vehicle for Eddie Murphy and Martin Lawrence
has many layers. On the surface, and this will appease
any Murphy or Lawrence fan, is a comedy about two black
friends who are framed for murder in the 1930's and
spend the next several decades in prison attempting
to break out. This recalls many 70's films like Richard
Pryor's "Stir Crazy" and others of the genre.
But the film goes much deeper than that. There are
several scenes which bring to the surface the idea of
two lives wasted. These two men are made patsies and
then kept in prison and servitude for several decades.
The film let's us know of it's intentions early on.
In one of their first scenes together, set in the 1930's,
the very urbane (they are from Harlem) Murphy and Lawrence
are working for a bootlegger and travel on a country
road. They stop their journey and walk into a restaurant
while arguing and find themselves stuck in an all-white
diner in the south. It takes the duo as long as it takes
us to realize exactly what they have done wrong. It's
an awesome scene that suddenly reminds us of the
timeframe and the mindset of the world that these characters
are living in.
The film continues to bring up these kinds of ideas
throughout so that, if one wishes to delve under the
comedy, there is a serious and sorrowful subtext which
will touch and affect you quite deeply.
Director Ted Demme's film looks perfect. Slick and awash
with color during the opening moments, the film becomes
washed-out and faded during the remaining prison scenes.
It looks perfect. And Murphy and Lawrence are in top
form, again Murphy uses the make-up of Rick Baker to
help him and his costar age. The duo never makes us
bust-out laughing in hysterics but do find plenty of
moments to make us smile and giggle at their bickering.
It's a very subtle comedy. Add to this the perfect music
of Wyclef Jean and a wonderful ensemble cast, a very
good script and perfect settings, and you've got quite
a lovely film. Better yet - a good comedy which also
has something to say.
Note: With Heavy D, Ned Beatty, Clarence Williams (Linc
of the original "Mod Squad"), Bokeem Woodbine, Nick
Cassavettes, and Rick James (the singer of "Superfreak").
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Report
Card
Script:
A
Acting: A
Cinematography\Lighting: A
Special Effects\Make Up: A+
Music: A
Final
Grade: A
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