Life
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Overview
In the mid-1990s, two inmates bury the burned bodies of two lifers at Mississippi's infamous Parchman Farm; a third old-timer relates their story. They'd served 65 years for a murder they didn't commit, framed by a local sheriff while buying moonshine whiskey for a Manhattan club owner to whom they owed money. In flashbacks we see this odd couple t...
Director / Creator
Ted Demme
Writers
Robert Ramsey, Matthew Stone
Top Cast
About Life (1999)
Filmoverview · cast · reception · where to watch
Overview
Life (1999) is a Comedy, Crime, and Drama film from United States. the film was directed by Ted Demme from a screenplay by Robert Ramsey and Matthew Stone. It runs 1 hour and 48 minutes and was produced primarily in English.
What it's about
In the mid-1990s, two inmates bury the burned bodies of two lifers at Mississippi's infamous Parchman Farm; a third old-timer relates their story. They'd served 65 years for a murder they didn't commit, framed by a local sheriff while buying moonshine whiskey for a Manhattan club owner to whom they owed money. In flashbacks we see this odd couple thrown together (Ray is a fast-talking con man, and Claude is a serious man about to start work as a bank teller), the loss of Ray's watch (sterling silver, from his daddy), the murder and trial, the hardships of Parchman, and the love-hate relationship of Claude and Ray as they spend 65 years bickering and looking for a way to escape.
Cast and crew
The film stars Eddie Murphy, Martin Lawrence, and Obba Babatundé in supporting roles. Writing credits go to Robert Ramsey and Matthew Stone, whose work establishes the story structure and dialogue throughout.
Critical reception
On IMDb, Life holds a rating of 6.8/10 based on 59,656 user votes. Rotten Tomatoes lists a critical score of 53%. Metacritic aggregates a score of 63/100 from professional reviewers. Notable recognition: Nominated for 1 Oscar. 1 win & 6 nominations total. These numbers place Life within the broader landscape of Comedy and Crime cinema from 1999, giving viewers a benchmark before deciding to watch.
Where to watch
It can also be rented or purchased digitally through AppleTV, YouTube, and Fandango at Home. Streaming rights move between platforms regularly, so the providers shown above reflect current availability based on the most recent data we have on file.
Why Life is worth knowing
If you enjoy Comedy or Crime films, Life offers a representative example of the genre's conventions and storytelling style. As a 1999 release, it sits within a specific moment in film history, making it a useful reference point for understanding how comedy evolved during that period. Performances from Eddie Murphy and Martin Lawrence are central to the work, and tracking their broader filmographies can lead to other titles you may want to add to your watchlist. Use VidScio to identify scenes, find related movies, and keep Life on your watchlist for later.
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