My Life
by Bruce Joel Rubin
List Price:
Our Price: $5.35
You Save: $4.63 (46%)
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Buy Used: from $0.01 (click here)
Category: VHS Video
See more movie releases
Buy this VHS video movie at online store in your country
Canada
Canada
Product details
Actor: Bradley Whitford, Michael Constantine, Michael Keaton, Nicole Kidman, Queen LatifahDirector: Bruce Joel Rubin
Cinematographer: Peter James
Writer: Bruce Joel Rubin
Editor: Richard Chew
Producer: Gil Netter
Edition: VHS Tape
Audio: English (Original Language), Analog
Format: Closed-captioned, Color, NTSC
Running Time: 117 minutes
Release Date: 1996-04-23
Audience Rating: PG-13 (Parental Guidance Suggested)
Publisher: Columbia Pictures
Studio: Columbia Pictures
VHS Movie Reviews of My Life
Movie Review: Art imitating life
Summary: 5 Stars
I am a blood/cancer specialist (for 25 years), and have always been put-off by most of Hollywood's attempts to portray medical-related drama on the big screen. Scores of such attempts have always seemed to me to be overly-forced efforts to wring some emotional impact from the audience, by over-done acting and grandiose "life-and-death" scenes, as if everything that happens in medicine is so different from everyday life. The simple, daily human drama that I have been priviledged to witness in my work has always struck me as something that would make a much better movie than anything Hollywood has done.
"My Life" , in my opinion, is one bright, shining exception to the rule. I saw this film when it first came out in the theatres, and just recently bought a DVD for home use- and after watching it again just last night, felt compelled to offer this review.
The story line is that of a young man (Keaton) diagnosed with incurable kidney cancer, spread to his lungs. He's a work-a-holic executive type in Los Angeles, with his wife (Kidman) pregnant with their first child. While he actively seeks out all conventional medical therapies for his disease, and continues to work (and keep his diagnosis from friends and even his own family), the disease progresses- and early on he is racked with anger and denial, aggravated by his emotional and physical estrangement from his family back in Detroit. He begins to video-tape himself, with practical (and frequently both hilarious and insightful) suggestions for living life, in order that his newborn child will know who his/her father was- hence the "My Life" title. The stages of disease progression are shown unsparingly and in a very matter-of-fact way, and for once in the movies, we see a patient who actually doesn't get MORE attractive, as he is dying. At the insistence of his wife, Keaton reluctantly begins to see a Chinese "faith-healer", and the several scenes involved with this are also rather insightful, as regards what true healing is all about.
But the impact of this movie goes well beyond the compelling and well-written plot.
First and foremost, this movie more than any other seems believable, seems real.....in no small part due to the exceptional screenwriting and acting. Though the two leads (Michael Keaton and Nichole Kidman) are clearly established, big-time movie stars, one never gets the feeling that you are watching big-time movie stars acting out a part: they say things and do things that real people do, when confronting a serious illness, and the imminent prospect of one's mortality. Bravo to the screenwriters for giving these exceptional actors believable things to say, and bravo to the actors for conveying the incredible emotions that they do, both through their words and their body language. In most movies where there are a lot of "tear-jerking" scenes I get ultimately uncomfotable, but not here. Every scene in this movie, from riotous laughter to the deepest sorrow, rings absolutely true. I know, because I see and hear the same from things I am witness to personally every day.
But there's more to this movie than just the medical story- it's also a powerful story of forgiveness, and also an almost Wordsworthian tribute to the lost innocence of childhood. The flashback scenes of Keaton revisiting the home of his childhood touches so many familiar buttons, that anyone who has done the same in their life will surely be moved to tears- and tears mixed with sadness, longing, and even joy. As Wordsworth wrote: "Though nothing can bring back the hour.....of splendour in the grass....of glory in the flower....we will grieve not, rather find.....strength in what remains behind." The scenes in this movie about Keaton's childhood have this wonderful, longing, and lyrical quality- never melodramatic or overly-sentimental either- another tribute to the filmakers.
The Chinese "faith-healer" in the movie seemed to me an allegorical figure: a means to convey the ultimate truth about serious illness and death- that real healing is not of the body, but of the mind. We all die physically one day, but worse than this is the mental death we so often die daily, through the diseases of anger, denial, selfishness, apathy, and fear.
The musical score (by John Barry) adds to every scene, and is among the more poignant and lyrical soundtracks I've ever heard in a movie. I own a copy of the soundtrack, and by itself it is a moving work of art.
I give this movie 5 stars, without reservation. If you've never seen it, and even if you don't go for "medical dramas", see this one. You won't regret it.
Movie Review: Sad, Enjoyable, and Enlightening
Summary: 4 Stars
This is an up-close and personal look at the life of a man battling cancer. This isn't your typical cancer story, however. It is filled with facing fears, Chinese medicine, healing relationships and ensuring that future ones are taken care of.
Grab a box of Kleenex and get ready for a heart-warming tale that may just hit a little too close to home if you've ever known somebody with Cancer.
Movie Review: Bringing back a good memory
Summary: 4 Stars
Great movie. Minimal damage to video but it wasn't enough to prevent me from watching it. Part of the film was done where I used to live. I still consider it a good buy and have no regrets.Movie Review: Worth seeing
Summary: 5 Stars
Heart wrenching but astonishingly perfect.
Michael Keaton outdone himself - I think it is his best movie.
Even my husband cried.
This movie is for all those who will one day face our own death or death of a loved one.
Movie Review: rings true even through the sentimental stuff
Summary: 5 Stars
like many movies there's a bit of extra sentimental stuff here, but it's about as close as you'll get to a realistic portrayal of the cancer experience. the relationship with family could have been a bit less melodramatic, and there are elements of the story that were condensed so they don't really make sense, but Micheal Keaton's transformation as he passes through the stages of cancer is powerful. If only we could all come to terms with our lives with this much clarity and grace. Anyone affected by cancer -- patient, family member, friend -- should see this movie. It gives a hopeful portrayal of the ultimate goal, acceptance.
Summary of My Life
Screenwriter Bruce Joel Rubin (author of the fanciful Ghost) made his directorial debut with this more serious confrontation with the realities of death. Michael Keaton plays an advertising executive who learns he is dying even as his wife (Nicole Kidman) is pregnant. The film beautifully focuses on his anger over everything: the unfinished business of his life and the probability he'll never meet his child. The late Dr. Haing S. Ngor (The Killing Fields) is terrific as a doctor who helps Keaton's character to recognize the corrosiveness of his rage and to let go. The film is a heartbreaker but truly cathartic for anyone who has felt the blunt pain of losing someone close. Keaton is outstanding. --Tom KeoghDying Young Video
Video Genres
- Action & Adventure
- African American Cinema
- Animation
- Anime & Manga
- Art House & International
- Classics
- Comedy
- Cult Movies
- Documentary
- Drama
- Educational
- Fitness
- Gay & Lesbian
- Horror
- Kids & Family
- Military & War
- Music Video & Concerts
- Musicals & Performing Arts
- Mystery & Suspense
- Science Fiction & Fantasy
- Special Interests
- Sports
- Television
- Westerns
Movies most talked about in Dying Young Video
Six WeeksSony Pictures; Release date: 1996-08-06; VHS Tape; VHS Video
Best price: $119.99
RampageParamount; Release date: 1998-01-01; VHS Tape; VHS Video
Best price: $31.42
Secret CeremonyUniversal Pictures; Release date: 2000-10-31; VHS Tape; VHS Video
Best price: $4.74
Price in other shops:
Sweet NovemberWarner Home Video; Release date: 2001-01-09; VHS Tape; VHS Video
Best price: $13.77
Price in other shops:
Steel Magnolias - Special EditionSony Pictures; Release date: 2000-07-25; VHS Tape; VHS Video
Best price: $1.94
Price in other shops:
Love StoryParamount; Release date: 1992-12-07; VHS Tape; VHS Video
Best price: $4.95
Price in other shops:
Ordinary PeopleParamount; Release date: 1998-02-13; VHS Tape; VHS Video
Best price: $7.15
Price in other shops:
In the GloamingHbo Home Video; Release date: 1998-03-24; VHS Tape; VHS Video
Best price: $12.98
Price in other shops:
Torpedo RunMGM (Warner); Release date: 1998-09-01; VHS Tape; VHS Video
Best price: $38.44
Shadowlands (1993)Hbo Home Video; Release date: 1995-01-31; VHS Tape; VHS Video
Best price: $16.78
Similar Video, DVDs, Audio CDs
Terms of EndearmentParamount; Release date: 2001-04-10; DVD
Best price: $0.63
Price in other shops:
Life as a House (New Line Platinum Series)Release date: 2002-03-26; DVD
Best price: $4.98
Price in other shops:
When a Man Loves a WomanGARCIA/RYAN; Release date: 2000-02-15; DVD
Best price: $4.29
Price in other shops:
AwakeningsSony; Release date: 1997-09-10; DVD
Best price: $7.54
Price in other shops:
Pay It ForwardWarner Brothers; Release date: 2001-05-15; DVD
Best price: $4.19
Price in other shops:
Steel Magnolias (Special Edition)Sony; Release date: 2000-07-25; DVD
Best price: $5.97
Price in other shops:
Tuesdays with MorrieRelease date: 2003-07-01; DVD
Best price: $4.48
Price in other shops:
The DoctorRelease date: 2004-04-06; DVD
Best price: $7.02
Price in other shops:
WitWarner Brothers; Release date: 2001-09-11; DVD
Best price: $3.46
Price in other shops:
The Story of UsUniversal; Release date: 2000-02-15; DVD
Best price: $3.77
Price in other shops: