Life Itself Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A series of tragic events connect several families across continents, proving that life is just a bunch of coincidences tied together with a Bob Dylan soundtrack.

🍿 Life Itself: Detailed Plot Synopsis

Will and Abby’s Story

The film opens with Will (Oscar Isaac) in therapy with Dr. Cait Morris (Annette Bening), struggling to cope after his wife Abby (Olivia Wilde) leaves him. Flashbacks reveal their loving relationship from college to marriage. Abby, a Bob Dylan enthusiast, is pregnant. Their quirky romance includes a dog named Fuckface and a shared interest in Tarantino films.

Tragedy Strikes

Will recounts the day their lives shattered. After lunch with his parents, Abby reveals they’re having a girl. Distracted, she steps into the street and is hit by a bus. Abby dies, but the baby survives. Overwhelmed with grief and guilt, Will commits suicide in front of Dr. Morris.

Dylan’s Troubled Life

Will and Abby’s daughter, Dylan (Olivia Cooke), is raised by Will’s parents. She grows up surrounded by death and tragedy, losing her grandmother and even the dog. On her 21st birthday, she’s a rebellious punk rocker struggling with her past. After a violent incident at her show, she ends up distraught on a park bench.

The Gonzalez Family in Spain

The narrative shifts to Spain, where Javier (Sergio Peris-Mencheta) works for Vincent Saccione (Antonio Banderas) on an olive plantation. Javier marries Isabel (Laia Costa), and they have a son, Rodrigo. Saccione becomes close to the family, especially Rodrigo, creating tension with Javier.

Intertwining Destinies

Javier takes his family to New York City. Rodrigo is on the bus that hits Abby, witnessing her death. The trauma deeply affects him. Years later, Rodrigo (Alex Monner), now a college student in New York, is running after a breakup when he encounters a crying Dylan on a park bench, connecting their lives.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Will (Oscar Isaac): A troubled screenwriter grappling with loss and mental instability after his wife’s sudden death.
• Abby (Olivia Wilde): Will’s wife, whose life and thesis on the ‘unreliable narrator’ shape the film’s narrative structure and themes.
• Dylan (Olivia Cooke): Will and Abby’s daughter, a troubled young woman grappling with her family’s tragic history.
• Javier González (Sergio Peris-Mencheta): A Spanish olive orchard worker whose life becomes intertwined with the New York narrative through a tragic event.
• Isabel Díaz (Laia Costa): Javier’s wife, whose warmth and love are a beacon of hope amidst the film’s tragedies.
• Mr. Saccione (Antonio Banderas): Javier’s compassionate boss who develops a close bond with Javier’s family, profoundly impacting their lives.
• Rodrigo González Díaz (Àlex Monner): The son of Javier and Isabel, whose childhood trauma in New York City leads him to cross paths with Dylan.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Will: “I’m waiting for the right moment cause when I ask you out, there’s not gonna be any turning back for me. I’m not gonna date anybody else for the rest of my life. I’m not gonna love anybody else for the rest of my life.” – Will declares his intentions to Abby, showcasing his deep feelings and commitment.
• Abby: “Life is the ultimate unreliable narrator.” – Abby explains her thesis, highlighting the unpredictable nature of life and how stories can be misleading.
• Isabel: “Even when life brings you to your knees, if you look hard enough, you will find love.” – Isabel shares her perspective on life and love, reflecting the film’s message of hope amid tragedy.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $10,000,000
• Domestic Gross: $4,102,648
• Worldwide Gross: $7,997,774

💥 Life Itself Reviews

Personal Review

Okay, so “Life Itself” hit me hard. It’s like a punch in the gut wrapped in a warm blanket, simultaneously. I went in expecting a tearjerker, and I got that, but also a story about resilience and how even the worst moments can lead to something beautiful. The performances were incredible. Oscar Isaac was great! It’s not perfect; it gets a bit cheesy at times, but I was still sobbing by the end. Definitely a movie that makes you think about your own life and the people in it. Give it a watch!

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of emotional dramas”
  • “Viewers interested in stories about interconnectedness”
  • “Those who appreciate ensemble casts and character-driven narratives”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Suicide”
  • “Graphic depiction of a traffic accident”
  • “Grief and loss”
  • “Sexual abuse (mentioned)”
  • “Strong language”

Professional Reviews

• Rotten Tomatoes: “Life Itself aims for profundity but mostly settles for melodrama, piling tragedy upon coincidence in a manipulative, cloying drama that’s hard to take seriously.
• IMDB: “Dan Fogelman’s Life Itself is an ambitious but ultimately flawed film that attempts to explore the interconnectedness of life through multiple storylines and generations. Though the performances from the cast are generally strong, the film suffers from excessive melodrama and unbelievable coincidences.

Audience Reactions

Many viewers appreciated the emotional depth and found the interconnected stories moving.: Fans of ‘This Is Us’ will likely find this movie appealing due to its similar themes and emotional storytelling.

Overall Consensus: While critics were generally negative, many viewers found the movie to be emotionally resonant and appreciated its exploration of life’s interconnectedness, especially if they are fans of ‘This is Us’ television show.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “The film was listed on the 2016 ‘Blacklist,’ a list of the best unproduced scripts of the year.”
• “Dan Fogelman, the director and writer, is also known for creating the popular TV series ‘This Is Us,’ and ‘Life Itself’ shares similar themes of family, love, and loss.”
• “Samuel L. Jackson’s role as the initial narrator was a deliberate choice to play with the idea of an ‘unreliable narrator,’ a key theme explored in the film.”

🖥️ How to Watch Life Itself?

Life Itself is available for streaming on platforms like Prime Video, and Apple TV. You can also rent or purchase the movie through these services. Check your local listings for availability.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Life Itself, you might like these similar films:

• Crazy, Stupid, Love (2011): Also written by Dan Fogelman, it explores intertwined relationships and the unpredictable nature of love and life with a mix of humor and drama.
• Crash (2004): Explores interconnected stories and the ripple effects of seemingly random events on a diverse group of people in Los Angeles.
• Manchester by the Sea (2016): Deals with grief, loss, and the enduring impact of tragedy on individuals and families.
• This Is Us (TV Series, 2016-2022): Another Dan Fogelman project, using generational storytelling to explore themes of family, loss, and resilience.

🛒 Life Itself Related Products

• Life Itself [Blu-ray]: Experience the emotional journey of Life Itself in high definition with this Blu-ray edition. A must-have for fans of the film.
• Bob Dylan: The Essential Bob Dylan: Immerse yourself in the music of Bob Dylan, heavily featured in the movie. This compilation includes his greatest hits and essential tracks.
• This Is Us: The Complete Series [DVD]: If you enjoyed the emotional storytelling of Life Itself by Dan Fogelman, this complete series is a must-have for fans of heartfelt drama and interconnected family stories.
• Olive Oil Extra Virgin – Spanish: Bring a taste of Spain into your kitchen with this high-quality extra virgin olive oil, reminiscent of the olive orchard featured in the film.

🎧 Soundtrack

Life Itself features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Love Sick” – performed by Bob Dylan

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

“Life itself is nothing but a rhythm” | Satyajit Ray |

Ever wonder what ‘life itself’ really means? Satyajit Ray, a famous director, offers a beautiful and thought-provoking perspective in this short clip that I find so inspiring, giving a different perspective on this movie.

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