Life Itself

Life Itself is a poignant and thought-provoking film that spans decades, continents, and a multitude of characters, weaving their interconnected lives into a rich tapestry of love, loss, and the human condition. The movie is an ambitious and courageous endeavor that delves into the complexities of life, mortality, and the idea that every life is intertwined. The film begins with a young couple, Oscar Feldman and Ursula, played by Daniel Day-Lewis and Emile Deglane, respectively. Their whirlwind romance unfolds on the campus of a New York City university, where they share a deep and abiding passion for each other. The innocence and exuberance of their youthful love provide a crucial foundation for their future life together. As their romance blossoms, Oscar must come to terms with his complicated family dynamics, particularly his strained relationship with his father. Don Keefer, played by Stanley Tucci, is a multifaceted figure whose warm and witty demeanor belies a deep emotional pain. Through Oscar's interactions with his father, the film poignantly illuminates the idea that love can sometimes feel like a burden we inherit from those who came before us. The movie cleverly leapfrogs through time, introducing new characters and narrative threads while maintaining its focus on the interconnectedness of lives. The family of Tony Santiago and Rachel Green, played by Antonio Banderas and Marisa Tomei, presents a fascinating contrast to the wealthier, more privileged surroundings of Oscar and Ursula. Tony's early struggles with immigration provide a sobering reminder that even in the promised land of America, the immigrant experience remains fraught with hardship and resilience. Meanwhile, the birth of Oscar and Ursula's first child sets in motion a chain of unexpected events that will reverberate for years to come. Their son, Danny, faces a life-threatening illness that brings the family to the edge of despair. This moment is particularly striking because it underscores how much sorrow can touch the lives of a family, yet only add to their resilience. Ursula's subsequent determination to support her son inspires her to become an impassioned advocate for the care of children with life-threatening illnesses. Throughout the film, director Dan Fogelman skillfully juxtaposes light and dark, contrasting periods of unbridled joy with moments of overwhelming loss. These shifts keep the narrative raw and authentic, because every life is a messy and beautiful fusion of both. Fogelman expands the scope of the story even further by introducing the quiet, irrepressible strength of Anna Bowen, played by Thea Barber. This quietly strong character suggests a completely different style of love in being quietly understanding about her relationship challenges. Through the poignant story of Ben Kandinski, played by Antonio Banderas, a movie writer slowly making his career breakthrough, Life Itself illustrates how every soul navigates their means of relating to loved ones during unpreparable incidents, and in times of unlooked for defeat and sorrow. Like a beacon of hope, it proposes that even amidst tremendous hardship, it is possible to construct lasting associations based on limitless affection.