The Life List

The Life List is a heartwarming drama about self-discovery, family secrets, and the pursuit of one's dreams. The film follows the story of Jordan, a young woman in her early twenties who, upon receiving her mother's life-altering announcement, decides to embark on an emotional journey. Her mother's request is simple yet profound: complete the list she had scribbled out when she was 15, a collection of experiences and activities she had always wanted to accomplish before reaching her thirtieth birthday. The list, often referred to as a "life list," includes a wide range of adventures, from travel to personal growth. There's the infamous item about planting a garden, attending concerts, and even learning a new language. Many of these experiences are anything but easy to achieve, but Jordan is determined to tick off every single item. As she delves deeper into her list, Jordan begins to witness extraordinary transformations in her life. Her journey starts with a failed attempt at learning Spanish, but then she takes a leap of faith and travels to Spain to immerse herself in the language and culture. The country's vibrant nightlife and intricate history eventually break down her initial resistance to the language, and before long, Jordan finds herself getting lost in the flavors of Spanish cuisine and the rhythm of castanets. However, Jordan's relationship with her mother has become increasingly strained due to lingering family issues. Her mother's recent revelation that she has been hiding a dark secret sparks tension and makes their conversations both fragile and unpredictable. Jordan is torn between her love for her mother and her resentment towards her. Mysteriously and conveniently, Jordan lands a new job, which becomes a pivotal experience on her life list. There, she meets charismatic art professor Michael, who proves to be a source of inspiration in her life. But even as she's swept off her feet by Michael's charm, Jordan starts to question whether he's the right person for her – or just another fleeting experience on her list. Throughout the film, Jordan struggles to keep her relationship with her mother honest. Her mother seems unreachable and tightly guarded, often forcing Jordan to decide between fulfilling her own desires or uncovering the mystery behind her mother's secret. In dramatic and suspenseful turns of events, Jordan gradually uncovers a tangled web of family history. One dramatic revelation occurs when Jordan finally gets the opportunity to see the results of her long-abandoned pastime: drawing. A gift from her high school era, Jordan discovers the actual artwork that was showcased during the school's annual art festival – but a completely different figure than the one she remembered is depicted on the canvas. That person is revealed to be none other than an adoptive father she has never truly known. The realization that she's leading a pretence all these years, perhaps created in her desire for a secure life, slowly unravels Jordan's entire 'life list' – until she finally gains the courage to confront her mother. With heavy reservations, Jordan enlists the help of Michael, believing he's going to become the emotional cornerstone she has always been searching for. As relationships intensify, Jordan's "life list" adventure begins to unravel as each of the experiences becomes an intersection between the past, present, and inevitable revelations. Ultimately, Jordan finds a path forward. It is one where love is discovered close by, and ultimately finds answers to the countless questions that hovered in her personal legacy. After witnessing groundbreaking relationships and personal epiphanies, the film transcends its premise. Life List elevates itself to a whole new level of understanding when Jordan finally comprehends her true purpose in coming back to her mother's "life list". She gives it a meaningful closure, taking that second, self-affirming journey to reconcile with her emotional narrative. Ultimately, the film becomes a compelling narrative about finding the purpose and meaning we can draw out from any life story and 'redeem' ourselves through passion, heartbreak and raw authenticity.