Life

Starring: Eddie Murphy, Martin Lawrence
Director: Ted Demme
Genre: Comedy
Year: 1999
Rating: 2 / 5

Eddie Murphy and Martin Lawrence have been typecast. Right or wrong, these two actors are known throughout the cinematic world as comedians, and excellent ones at that. That being said, when a studio touts a film starring these two actors as being a "comedy," I actually expect to laugh. Shocking concept, I am sure. Director Ted Demme delivers a sometimes touching story of two men, tossed together by circumstance and forced to spend their lives side by side - in prison. Unfortunately, the drama contained in this story cannot stand on its own, and, in the absence of genuine laughter, this movie fails miserably.

Ray Gibson (Eddie Murphy) is a small-time hoodlum, running from one jam to another, always just one step ahead of the game. Claude Banks (Martin Lawrence) is a young professional, excited over a new job he just earned as a bank teller. An unfortunate run-in in the men's room of a restaurant earns these two a moonshine run to Mississippi on behalf of a local gangster. Though they get their cargo with little fanfare, a harmless night of celebration goes terribly wrong. After leaving a bar in the wee hours of the morning, the two men stumble across a dead body. A few passing locals see our heroes staring at the dead body, blood on their shirts, and Ray and Claude are soon sentenced to life in prison.

At this point, Ray and Claude have known each other for about a day, yet they are now stranded in prison together for life. Here we are shown a few scenes that are meant to elicit a chuckle, as Ray and Claude have to earn their stripes "on the inside." Years pass in the prison, and various (unsuccessful) escape attempts are made. Colorful characters, such as Jangle Leg (Bernie Mac) and Can't Get Right (Bokeem Woodbine), a gifted baseball player, pass in and out of their lives, yet Ray and Claude pass the decades alternating between mutual affection and overt bickering. And how could that not be funny?

Director Ted Demme (The Ref) has delivered humorous films before, but Life falls well short of the mark. Eddie Murphy and Martin Lawrence get to flex some of their acting muscles, but it is all for not. Expecting to find laughs and wisecracks, the viewer is inevitably forced to cajole snickers from barely amusing encounters. Though mildly enjoyable, the supporting cast is largely undistinguished, leaving the two leads to carry the film themselves. Movie viewers flock to Tom Hanks to see compelling drama, and they turn to Arnold Schwarzenegger to see action and adventure. They look to Eddie Murphy and Martin Lawrence for comedy, and, in this Life, unfortunately, there does not seem to be anything to laugh about.

Cast:

Eddie Murphy..........	Rayford Gibson
Martin Lawrence..........	Claude Banks
Bernie Mac..........	Jangle Leg
Bokeem Woodbine..........	Can't Get Right

Certification: Rated R for language.
Running Time: 108 minutes.

Additional Info: Internet Movie Database
Comments: Send E-mail