Comic All-Stars Get Through ‘Life’
While it may appear to be another high-octane, high-concept Eddie Murphy comedy, “Life” has something more to offer.
Forgoing the broad strokes for some welcome substance, the century-spanning picture is an unexpectedly moving surprise - a bittersweet excursion that isn’t afraid to mix a little poignant reflection in with all the laughs.
That blend may not exactly be what those paying for a Murphy-Martin Lawrence match-up have in mind. As a result, “Life” will unlikely hit the lofty heights of a “Nutty Professor” or “Dr. Dolittle.” Nevertheless, backed by a terrific supporting cast and featuring a strong Wyclef Jean score, the Universal release should do some serious time at the box office.
Murphy’s in fine form as two-bit hustler Ray Gibson, whom we first see scoping out potential victims at Club Spanky’s, a swank Harlem nightclub circa 1932.
Despite a lingering sensation of “Harlem Nights” deja vu, things kick into gear when Gibson and down-on-his-luck Claude Banks (Lawrence) - an aspiring bank teller with a big gambling debt - find themselves at the mercy of Spanky (a smartly cast Rick James).
Paying him back by doing a little bootlegging job down in Mississippi, Ray and Claude find themselves framed for murder by a corrupt Southern cop (Nick Cassavetes) and handed a life sentence at a state work camp.
The days turn into months, the months turn into years, the years turn into decades and, over half-century and countless escape attempts later, Banks and Lawrence, bickering like an old married couple, persevere.
Based on an idea by Murphy and nicely fleshed out by screenwriters Robert Ramsey and Matthew Stone (“Destiny Turns on the Radio”), the film has been given something of a “Forrest Gump”-style historic sweep by director Ted Demme.
While the ploy may be derivative, it’s oddly affecting. Credit Demme’s willingness to take a little time with the material, allowing the audience to get to know and appreciate all the colorful characters. He’s not afraid to throw heavier dramatic elements in with the high jinks.
The results aren’t always smooth and there are a few awkward moments when the viewer is unsure whether to laugh. And, like Ray and Claude, the picture has a little trouble making a clean getaway.
But there is a lot of enjoyment to be found. In addition to the rich comic chemistry between Murray and Lawrence (reuniting the pair for the first time since 1992’s “Boomerang”), there’s a wealth of character performances among the inmates, including Bernie Mac as the predatory Jangle Leg, Miguel A. Nunez Jr. as the prim Biscuit, Michael “Bear” Taliferro as the imposing Goldmouth and Bokeem Woodbine as the mute, baseballs-lugging Can’t Get Right.
Also good are Clarence Williams III as a conniving card shark, Ned Beatty as a sympathetic prison superintendent and Poppy Montgomery as the warden’s flirtatious daughter.
Playing a significant role are Rick Baker’s special makeup effects, which startlingly age Murphy and Lawrence 60-plus years, though the effect works more convincingly when not held up to the harsh scrutiny of extreme close-ups.
Among the other standout technical contributions, cinematographer Geoffrey Simpson (“Oscar and Lucinda,” “Shine”) evocatively keeps pace with the time periods, especially during a couple of nicely textured montage sequences; while Wyclef Jean, making his feature film composing debut, has come up with an ambient soundscape that unobtrusively surveys the various eras’ defining musical signatures.
“Life” Location: Lincoln Heights, North Division, Spokane Valley Mall, Coeur d’Alene Cinemas Credits: Directed by Ted Demme, starringEddie Murphy, Martin Lawrence, Obba Babatunde, Ned Beatty, Bernie Mac, Miguel A. Nunez Jr., Clarence Williams III, Nick Cassavetes, Bokeem Woodbine, Poppy Montgomery, Rick James Running time: 1:48 Rating: R