Netflix’s The Life List, directed by Adam Brooks, seeks to marry sentimental nostalgia with self-discovery, but winds up in a formulaic rhythm that diminishes its emotions.
Starring Sofia Carson and Connie Britton, the movie charts one of the well-trodden paths of grief, self-discovery and love — one that, try as it might, never escapes the formulas of the field.
Seemingly Familiar Premise with No Surprises
The story follows Alex Rose (Carson), a woman who finds out that in order to receive her late mother Elizabeth’s (Britton) inheritance, she must fulfill a list of childhood dreams she wrote up at the age of 13.
From reading Moby Dick to taking up stand-up comedy, the list compels Alex to face how far the life she assumed she’d have diverges from the one she is leading. So naturally on her journey, she finds an unlikely sidekick (and unavoidable love interest) Brad (Kyle Allen), the executor of her mother’s estate.
Though this premise borrows elements from PS I Love You and The Bucket List, it’s too one-note in its dramatic tension or emotional nuance to be more than mildly interesting to watch unfold.
The “life list” device is little more than a narrative checklist that moves Alex from one milestone to another with little need for introspection. Moments that should feel fundamentally shifting — rediscovering a passion to teach, for instance — are instead rendered into concise montages rather than significant character growth.
Performances Carry the Weight
Sofia Carson gives a strong lead performance, making Alex feel relatable, even as she has to juggle frustration, determination and vulnerability. But the script doesn’t provide her with enough material to fully elevate the character above what seems like a standard romantic drama protagonist.
Connie Britton, as ever, fills the screen with warmth and depth, but she’s mostly a presence in flashbacks and voice-overs.
Kyle Allen, who plays the affable Brad, is charming enough, and the character sticks around enough that he is at least not completely without dimension, but he’s a little bit frustratingly underdeveloped, more a signpost of where Alex needs to go on her journey morally than a fully realized person in her own right.
A Safe, Saccharine Execution
Aesthetically, The Life List is slick but dull, employing soft lighting and postcard-pretty scenery еnough to create a feeling of coziness. The film's pacing is rapid, which makes it entertaining, but robbing it of more profound emotional resonance. Key themes — grief, regret, second chances — are all in place but rarely examined with any depth.
Also, it is the romantic subplot where the film trips hardest. The blossoming of Alex and Brad’s mutual affection has the nearly fatalistic trajectory of a Hallmark movie, with the only hitch that both Alex and Brad are already dating someone. The script botches the dilemma, resulting in a resolution that is contrived rather than earned.
Final Verdict
I'll have to give this a 6/10⭐
The Life List is unchallenging, familiar, at times genuinely touching — but never quite manages to transcend its formula. Fans of sentimental, low-stakes dramas may take comfort in its familiarity, but those seeking an innovative version of grief and self-discovery will find themselves disappointed.
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Carson and Britton can only do so much with the material, and ultimately the film is just a little too safe to linger.
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