Life or Something Like It

Starring: Angelina Jolie, Edward Burns, Tony Shalhoub, Stockard Channing
Directed by: Stephen Herek
Rating: PG-13
Genre: Comedy, Romance
2002

Times Seen:
Tim: 1

Summary: A local television reporter (Angelina Jolie) searching for the wrong things out of life suddenly is faced with her own mortality when a prophetic bum (Tony Shalhoub) tells her she will die in a few days. She seeks comfort in her antagonistic cameraman (Edward Burns) and the two affect each other in unforseeable ways.

Review:

Tim: Life or Something Like It is a terrific romantic comedy with a twist. I don't care if "critics" hated it, the film is enjoyable.

Angelina Jolie is very good and likeable in her first romantic comedy. She isn't my first choice for a Rom-Com, but she pulls off the role convincingly. Edward Burns exerts that charasmatic everyman appeal that makes him so great. The two don't have incredible chemistry, but enough to make this film work. Tony Shalhoub adds an interesting element here as a street bum/prophet. He gives a great supporting performance (as usual).

The film has an amount of charm to it that makes it very likeable. We see the traditional features of all romantic comedies, but added in are some heavy questions about what the knowledge of one's imminent death could do to a person. This formula, though not conventional, makes for a very interesting film.

Watch for the scene where a drunk Angelina Jolie sings "I Can't Get No Satisfaction" with a crew of striking workers. The scene is very funny and one of the highlights of the film.

Life or Something Like It is a good variation on the typical romantic comedy. It is very enjoyable, mainly because of the performances of Jolie and Burns.

Rating 1-10
Tim's Rating- 8



If You Enjoyed This Movie, We Recommend: She's the One, The Siege, The Bone Collector, Life as a House, Mr. Holland's Opus, Rock Star