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Amazon.co.uk Review
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 freewheeling 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, Amazon.com
Video Description
DVD Special Features
Spotlight on Location
Outtakes
Deleted Scenes
Feature Commentary
Trailer
Music Highlights
Production Notes
Menu Music
Interactive DVD Rom Options
Animated Menus
Cast And Filmakers Notes
Language: English/German
Subtitles: English/German/Dutch/Swedish/Norwegian/Finnish/Danish/Greek/Hebrew/Polish/Czech
Feature Running Time: 104 mins approx
Ratio: 1.85:1
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
Two of the funniest comics of recent times, Eddie Murphy and Martin Lawrence team up in this side splitting comedy where both are sent to jail for a murder they didn't commit. Small time criminal Murphy and goody goody banker Lawrence are thrown together after a mis-understanding with murphy's criminal boss in which they have to bring back cases of alcohol across the country or face fatal repurcussions. Whilst on the job a man is murdered and the two become the main suspects, both are convicted and must spend the remainder of their lives behind bars. Even though the hate for one another is evident they must now become friends in order to survive the prison world. The two stars have a comedic chemistry on camera which would rival anyone and the outtakes at the end are hilarious. Don't miss out.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
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.
7 of 8 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
This movie is so fast paced that you could miss it all if you blink! Murphy and Lawrence are majic together. Its a barrel of laughs. I seriously recommend it to anyone who has a sense of humour! Take my advice and BUY THIS FILM!!!
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
a great film
Martin Lawrence and Eddie murphy are the perfect double act in this touching but funny movie. I have watched it probably about 100+ times over the years. Definitely a must buy
Published 26 days ago by kayla
Comedy on a plate
this film is a rely ggod one in my books and the comedy in it is wall to wall, Eddie Murphy plays a blinder
Published 3 months ago by hammerman84
Haha pretty funny
I've always loved Eddie Murphy and Martin Laurence soooo i had to like this film, it's actually quite a well put together film, usually you would think a storyline like this... Read more
Published 5 months ago by Mr. C. J. Davies
life
1 of eddie murphy's best films ever .well worth watching ,thanks to this the kids now have a lif long love of film
Published 6 months ago by ddpp68
A must buy for comedy fan's
I watched this when it first came out and i still think it's funny from start to finish it ill have you hooked a very smart movie because the storyline is sad but the things eddie... Read more
Published 6 months ago by joe
damaged
my dvd was supposed to be brand new. The case was brocken and the disc was scratched. Not impressed this is the first bad product i have recieved and i have bought alot from... Read more
Published 6 months ago by PMP
dvd
the item was delivered before the expected date so was really quick..the dvd was wrapped therefore brand new and in top rate condition
Published 7 months ago by nise
Life (with Eddie Murphy)
Without giving too much away a well made film set in the last century, with a good story line (although partly sad) covering some serious topics in the genre of (black)comedy. Read more
Published 9 months ago by Justine W
Life DVD
A great film full of fun and intrigue with an unusual twist at the end ... great performances as you would expect from a Very talented pair of Actors .. cannot fail to entertain .. Read more
Published 20 months ago by Mrs. M. Wuyts
Worth every penny-GREAT FILM!!!
Life [DVD] [1999]
You may be dissapointed if you're looking for typical slapstick Eddie Murphy or Martin Lawrence humour and style, BUT-if your looking for a GREAT film which... Read more
You may be dissapointed if you're looking for typical slapstick Eddie Murphy or Martin Lawrence humour and style, BUT-if your looking for a GREAT film which... Read more
Published on 16 Jan 2010 by Ms. T. A. Hall
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