Product Details

• Actors: Eddie Murphy, Martin Lawrence, Obba Babatunde, Ned Beatty, Bernie Mac
• Directors: Ted Demme
• Writers: Robert Ramsey, Matthew Stone
• Producers: Eddie Murphy, Brian Grazer
• Format: Anamorphic, Closed-captioned, Color, Dolby, NTSC, Widescreen
• Language: English (Dolby Digital 5.1), French (Dolby Digital 2.0 Surround)
• Subtitles: English
• Region: Region 1 (U.S. and Canada only. Read more about DVD formats.)
  
• Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1
• Number of discs: 1
• Rated: R (Restricted)
• Studio: Universal Studios
• DVD Release Date: October 19, 1999
• Run Time: 109 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (150 customer reviews)
• ASIN: 0783237367
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #4,550 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)
• Learn more about "Life" on IMDb

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Martin Lawrence and Eddie Murphy play it surprisingly straight in this film by director Ted Demme. Though there are laughs to be had, this is a story about perseverance in the face of a life of disappointment (yet the film was sold as a prison comedy). But Stir Crazy this isn't. Rather, Lawrence and Murphy play a couple of New Yorkers making a moonshine run from New York to Mississippi during the Prohibition who find themselves framed for murder and sentenced for life to a prison chain gang. As they age, the two become close friends, although the strait-laced Lawrence always resents the free-wheeling Murphy for getting him into the situation in the first place. Ultimately, these two men learn to find meaning where they can, taking value from friendship and their limited ability to affect the lives of others. At times preachy, it ends on an upbeat note; the film's biggest laughs are reserved for the final section, in which Lawrence and Murphy don age makeup and play octogenarians. --Marshall Fine

Product Description

Eddie Murphy, Martin Lawrence, Bernie Mac. After they're framed for murder, two men must learn to get along while serving out their life sentences in a Southern work camp. 1999/color/109 min/R/widescreen.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

27 of 29 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A serious movie that also happens to be pretty funny July 10, 2004

By Daniel Jolley HALL OF FAMETOP 500 REVIEWERVINE™ VOICE

Format:DVD

Yes, this movie has plenty of funny moments, but there is a very real and sometimes rather touching story that takes precedence over everything that happens. You can't get through the most serious of situations without the palliative of laughter now and again, and Life actually does tell a serious story. Eddie Murphy proves once again that he is a great actor, and Martin Lawrence was surprisingly good as the more serious of two men sentenced to life in prison for a murder they didn't commit. One night in 1932, fate brought Rayford Gibson (Murphy), a smooth-talking hustler with big dreams, and Claude Banks (Lawrence) a respectable fellow about to start a good job, together in a New York nightclub. For entirely different reasons, both guys have to face the displeasure of the club owner's wrath; and so it is that Gibson and Banks end up going on a bootlegging run to Mississippi. One dead man later, and both men are sentenced to life in prison for murder. Since Banks blames Gibson for getting him into all this mess, there relationship varies in quality as the years go by, but gradually a real friendship develops between them. They try to escape several times but end up spending basically their whole lives in prison. Along the way, we meet with several sub-plots involving some of their fellow inmates, but the movie never strays far from the lives of Gibson and Banks. The passage of time is marked by clips of historical events, and some excellent makeup works makes both men look old and worn out as they advance into their senior years.

This is not a prison story of hopelessness, however. While no pardon ever comes their way, justice has a way of willing out eventually, and the final ten minutes of the film are just terrific.... Since the story does take place in Mississippi in 1932 and beyond, race plays a major part in the film, but it does not define the movie by any means. There are a number of funny scenes, especially those involving pie and cornbread, and Eddie Murphy will definitely make you laugh - Martin Lawrence sort of plays the heavy here to Murphy's periodic antics. Some familiar faces pop up in the movie: Rick James plays the New York club owner, Bernie Mac has a relatively minor role, and Heavy D plays a small but important part. Wyclef Jean contributes an original score for the film. The whole cast is excellent, and a very good script keeps the film on pace and lively.

This isn't Stir Crazy; there are plenty of laughs, but I wouldn't call this a comedy - Life the movie is funny in the way life itself can sometimes be - laughter can get us through the hard times, but it doesn't hide the fact that the hard times are there. This movie really deserves more attention than it has received; with its serious underlying quality, it ranks among Eddie Murphy's most impressive films. Read more ›

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars One of the very best comedies of '99 October 27, 1999

By A Customer

Format:VHS Tape

I've seen "Life" twice thus far, and I must concede that it has to be one of the best films to ever cast Eddie Murphy. He and Martin Lawrence are just as emotionally poignant as they are downright hysterical in this memorable comedy/drama of two Prohibition-era guys from Harlem NYC who inadvertently become framed for murder in the Deep South while on a bootlegging run for the local crime boss they each owe debts to back home. They are soon enough sentenced to life imprisonment in a Mississippi chain gang where they share a "Felix and Oscar"-esque relationship that spans 65 years through thick and thin times (including numerous escape attempts). However in the end, they literally become friends for life as they come to terms with their imprisonment. The make-up done by 6-time Oscar winner Rick Baker to transform Murphy & Lawrence from young to old over the course of so many years is the true showstopper of "Life". I wouldn't be the least surprised if Mr. Baker garners Oscar #7 come 2000; he and Murphy have been quite a dynamic duo since "Coming to America". A definite must-see!

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars DON'T LISTEN TO THE NEGATIVE REVIEWS...TRUST ME!!! June 3, 2002

By A Customer

Format:VHS Tape

If you're expecting a staight-up comedy movie, then you probably will be disappointed. This movie mixes drama and comedy in the most perfect way. Anyone that says this movie is not good, obviously missed the whole point of the movie. The movie takes place during the 1930's...the set and costumes were great. I feel that the chemistry between Eddie Murphy and Martin Lawrence was superb. Kudos to Rick James as his roll of 'Spanky'...he played the role well.

10 of 13 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Not the aggressive Lawrence/Murphy humor; still a good movie August 11, 2002

By Eric V. Moye

Format:DVD|Amazon Verified Purchase

I did enjoy this movie, even as I enjoyed Martin Lawrence and Eddie Murphy's more popular and critically acclaimed work. They are a pair of convicts, one of whom caught up after being "along for the ride", but jailed nonetheless for life in the South some fifty years ago. They do persevere after, through and despite any number of bad (some unbelievable) circumstances. Life in prison makes them close.

It is very different from my other favorite prison movie, Cool Hand Luke. Like C.H.L., the brutality of prison life is left mercifully for other films. There is one scene common to both, though, with the prisoners resolving their issue boxing in the prison yard with typical results.

As they age, their mutual disappointment makes their friendship ebb and flow from like to dislike and back (of course). Conservative Lawrence (yeah, him) not only blames the typically hustling Murphy for getting him into the situation in the first place. Murphy wants more assertiveness from his sidekick, vowing not to die having given up hope like his Father. As we know they must though, they find some hope, some enjoyment, and even some meaning in their circumstance.

Another reviewer hit the nail on the head: this movie was erroneously marketed. The trailers show hilarity, and lead one to think this is a true comedy. Those expecting just that may be disappointed (unless they go straight to the hilarious outtakes). But it is much much more.

Fantastic ending. Worth the price itself.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars A movie worth watching! January 10, 2005

By L Gontzes VINE™ VOICE

Format:VHS Tape

Definitely a wonderful movie, Life, brings to the screen the story of two New Yorkers, during Prohibition and the Great Depression, as they make their way to a small rural town in Mississippi, in order to stock up on some moonshine, which in turn is to be delivered to a NYC speakeasy.

The setting is the early 30's, specifically 1932, and it is a film about human relations, hope and second chances, but most importantly about how trust, friendship, endurance, and inner strength, can lead out of situations, which might seem bleak or desperate at first glance.

On the negative side, the only setback was the scene with the baby. They could have found another way to show the strong sense of solidarity that had developed.

Needless to say, Eddie Murphy, Martin Lawrence and the rest of the cast have truly outdone themselves with their performances, which are outstanding to say the least!

The film combines drama and humor, making it one of the best of its kind, and one that can be watched over and over again.

Life is sure to provide for an evening's entertainment.