The Life List: A Journey of Rediscovery and Romance
After the poignant loss of her mother, Alex Rose, played by Sofia Carson, embarks on a heartfelt journey to reconnect with her long-buried aspirations. As she navigates her grief, Alex’s path diverges into an unexpected adventure that has the potential to transform her life in ways she never imagined.
In "The Life List," directed and written by Adam Brooks and adapted from Lori Nelson Spielman’s novel, we witness a reflection on purpose and the pursuit of dreams. Following her mother’s death, Alex confronts a life that feels stagnant. She endures a barrage of questions about her future from well-meaning relatives and realizes she is caught in a rut. Yet, the crux of the story shifts dramatically when Alex learns that to inherit her mother’s cosmetics company, she must complete her “life list”—a collection of ambitions penned when she was thirteen.
The goals on Alex’s list feel alarmingly generic: getting a tattoo, doing standup comedy, volunteering, and searching for true love. While intended to inspire, this list seems like a compilation of clichés rather than unique dreams. Alex is forced to confront these tasks by New Year’s and is provided with nostalgic video messages from her late mother as guidance.
Along the way, Alex is accompanied by a talented ensemble cast that includes Kyle Allen as Brad, José Zúñiga, Sebastian de Souza, and Connie Britton. The chemistry between Carson and Allen is one of the film’s highlights; their dynamic injects some much-needed charm and humor into the otherwise lackluster plot.
While Carson’s portrayal of Alex oscillates between understated and uninspired, it is her interactions with Brad that truly shine. Their budding relationship is refreshingly cute, especially highlighted during a delightful sing-along of “That’s Not My Name” by The Ting Tings. In contrast, other character relationships come off as superficial, lacking the emotional weight needed to resonate with the audience.
Despite its promising premise, "The Life List" falters significantly in execution. Adam Brooks’ direction often comes across as flat, with dialogue that feels unrealistic and contrived. While there are attempts at emotional storytelling, moments of genuine connection either feel too forced or underdeveloped, leaving viewers yearning for more depth.
For instance, even through emotional family debates or reflective moments with her father, the film often leans too heavily into cheese without allowing the audience a chance to connect with the characters on a deeper level. The stakes feel low, and the overarching message, though well-intentioned, is muddled amid uninspired scenarios.
Ultimately, while "The Life List" boasts a positive message about pursuing long-lost passions and rekindling personal identity, it falls short in terms of memorable storytelling. With its unexciting execution and generic character arcs, it risks blending into the backdrop of forgettable Netflix content.
As we watch Alex struggle through tasks that promise to spark change, we can’t help but feel a sense of missed opportunities. If only there had been more creative flair or nuanced storytelling, this movie could’ve shifted from merely okay to deeply impactful. So, perhaps future endeavors for the cast and crew will include adding "make a better movie" on their own life lists.
For those interested in uplifting stories that delve into personal growth, "The Life List" might still warrant a watch, but be prepared for a cinematic experience lacking in the vivid colors of inspiration it aims to deliver.
For more insights on the film and its themes, check out the official Netflix page.
Watch the trailer here: The Life List Trailer.
Talk with us!
Do you have a project in mind? Send us a message to understand how we can help you. We will get in touch with you.
We are a digital marketing agency that works with the fudamental goal of increasing profitability and profit to our clients’ investment in an ethical and conscious way.
