The Life List Review: Perfect Watch For Anyone Feeling Stuck In Life

When I sat after a long day of work on my couch with pretty much the idea of slacking off and watching a good movie on Netflix, I wanted to watch a sunny romantic comedy or a feel-good film that would ease the tension that the mundanity of my structured and monotonous days brings. That's when I landed on The Life List, and I loved it. My presumptions were based on a rather pessimistic mindset, but I felt like I had a pretty good grasp of what I was getting into. It's the kind of movie where you can see how it will end before you even press play, and I promise you will have a fun time watching it. 

The Life List premise

Alex (Sofia Carson) works at a record store. She works for her mother, Elizabeth (Connie Britton), after losing her job as a teacher (unfairly). Then the bomb goes off as Alex’s mother tells her that her cancer is back. Two minutes in, Elizabeth and Alex are hugging on the bed, and then the scene cuts to Alex alone in a black dress, preparing to go downstairs for the funeral. Brad (Kyle Allen), the junior not-yet-a-partner dealing with the paperwork, is waiting for Alex and her brothers, Julian (Federico Rodriguez) and his wife Catherine (Rachel Zeiger-Haag), and Lucas (Dario Ladani Sanchez) and his wife Zoe (Marianne Rendon), to gather at the lawyer's office to hear the will. 

But Alex finds it impossible to believe that, though in charge of the marketing department of her mother’s company, she does not inherit ownership of the company. In reality, she is essentially fired and forced to complete The Life List, a series of goals Alex made when she was 13 but hasn't yet reached. She has a year. Her inheritance will only be given to her when she completes everything that is on the list; until then, what her mother had in store for Alex’s will is kept in utmost secrecy.

Through the conflict and chaos

In her will, Alex hopes to secure Elizabeth's business, or at the very least, the position her mother gave her. Each of the recordings Elizabeth made of her will only be inherited by Alex after she finishes up her life list, the list she wrote down at age thirteen. With lines like "become the best teacher possible" and "try stand-up comedy," it's the kind of grandiose to-do list that only an idealistic child could think of.

Life List is not very interested in probing into the individual set of circumstances that led to Alex getting stuck in her life to such a great extent; she does not appear to have experienced any trauma, and even if it might have been depression or anxiety, the film never seriously gets into that. The overall impact of Alex's character growth is somewhat diminished by this; after all, was she trapped in the first place if it's so simple to rediscover her passion for teaching or enrol in piano lessons?— However, I don't believe it undermines the overall point of The Life List. As someone in her 20s reflecting on her own life, I can attest that there is a subtly profound quality to thinking about the kind of life you want to lead and the steps you need to take to make it happen. The Life List highlights the significance of taking the time to reflect and make changes.

Navigating the truth of joy beyond materialism

This film is essentially about improving oneself to heal from loss. The core of this movie is Sofia's reflective performance. Her portrayal of Alex exudes strength, which adds to the character's authenticity. While Britton's work is primarily confined to the video messages that Elizabeth sends to Alex, she brings her warmth to every scene, which only adds to the cozy atmosphere that The Life List has going for it. The Life List contains some very nicely played comedic and dramatic scenes by its large supporting cast. With Alex's declaration of purpose, the movie pulls toward a dramatic end; she's not doing this for the money but because she believes in the sense her mother does.

The Life List is an unassuming, authentic film because it isn't overly surprising and does not linger over anything uncomfortable for too long. I would recommend it to anyone who feels directionless in life and wants to find the light at the end of the tunnel. The movie might not be the radiance you are looking for. But it tells you exactly where you find it, and that is within yourself.

Views expressed by the author are their own.