The Life List Review: Hits the Feels, Skips the Depth
Sneha Jaiswal (Twitter | Instagram)
You know all those movies and stories about someone suffering from a terminal illness (usually cancer) who makes a list of things they want to do before they die, so they can feel more at peace when the end comes? And if it’s a romance, they’ll even find a life-changing love, have some fun, weep a lot, and then die in the end? Well, the Netflix drama The Life List is in the same territory, with a little tweak – a dying mom revises her will to instruct her favourite daughter to do all the things on a “life goals” list she made as a teen.
Based on Lori Nelson Spielman’s novel of the same name, The Life List is directed by Adam Brooks. The story follows actor Sofia Carson (‘Purple Hearts’/‘Carry-On’) as the primary protagonist, Alex—a young, beautiful woman who works for her mom’s cosmetics company and is dating a guy developing a post-apocalyptic zombie video game. Her friends and family judge her for giving up a teaching career for a more comfortable family position, and for not being married despite being over 30. So, her mom (Connie Britton) thinks pushing Alex out of her comfort zone by making her do things she wanted to try at 13 will change her life. As clichéd as it is… it does.
Essentially, ‘The Life List’ takes its aimless protagonist on a life changing journey, where she does lots of things she always dreamed of, and ends up finding ‘true love’ along the way. Each time Alex crosses something off the list, she gets to watch a video message from her dead mom, which are all cheesy little life lessons. The very cute Kyle Allen plays Brad, Sofia’s friendly, helpful lawyer, who helps her navigate the list, which includes starting teaching again. In the process, Alex also meets the charming intellectual Garrett (Sebastian De Souza) and the two bond over Moby Dick and teen delinquents.
From the trailer and synopsis, I knew ‘The Life List’ was going to be formulaic and predictable. However, the story has its heart in the right place and will appeal to viewers who like a good old tearjerker. It’s nice how the focus of the film isn’t just on Alex finding love, but also meaning in her day-to-day activities, which includes bonding with her siblings and repairing her relationship with her dad.
Sofia Carson feels slightly miscast as Alex – her portrayal leans more toward a “sexy, angsty model” vibe than that of a relatable thirty-something woman grappling with emotional baggage. That said, she still has great chemistry with all the other character in the film, especially with Kyle Allen’s Brad.
I cried more than once while watching this Netflix drama on a plane. The last time I was almost moved to tears while streaming a Netflix movie on a flight was ‘Nadaaniyan’, out of regret. But ‘The Life List’ is a genuine tear-jerker, which can feel contrived at points, yet has its heart in the right place.
Rating: 7 on 10. Watch ‘The List List’ on Netflix.
Read Next: ‘Con Mum’ Netflix Documentary Review
Read Next: ‘Gel Boys’ Review: Situationship Hell (Short Audio Review below)
