My Life (1993)
It seems that Bob Jones has everything a man could want, namely a fulfilling job and a beautiful, pregnant wife, Gail. But Bob's life is turned upside-down when he is diagnosed with cancer and given four months to live -- not even enough time to see his first child's birth. To cleanse himself of demons in his remaining days, Bob makes a video diary, hoping to pass along some wisdom to his future child. Along the way, he discovers a lot about himself.
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The film creates a perfect balance between action and depth of basic needs, in the midst of an infertile atmosphere.
After playing with our expectations, this turns out to be a very different sort of film.
A terrific literary drama and character piece that shows how the process of creating art can be seen differently by those doing it and those looking at it from the outside.
Although I seem to have had higher expectations than I thought, the movie is super entertaining.
Bob Jones (Michael Keaton) is dying from cancer as a P.R. guy in L.A. His wife Gail (Nicole Kidman) is pregnant with their first baby. He starts making videotapes to introduce himself to his future child. He is estranged from his family in Detroit even changing his last name, and has no close friends. His brother Paul Ivanovich (Bradley Whitford) is getting married. After being told that he has only 3-4 months, Gail directs him to a Chinese healer named Mr. Ho (Haing S. Ngor). He is powerfully effected by Mr. Ho and starts examining his unexamined life. Bob and Gail fly back to Detroit.This starts very slowly and dourly. Bob is not an appealing character. He's closed off. Watching him doing the videos is pretty boring. This is screenwriter Bruce Joel Rubin's only directing credit. The lacks any kind of drive for a very long time. It's a poignant concept and Keaton pours everything into this. It adds up to a tiresome cinematic experience.
A pure masterpiece.! According to me one of the best movie ever.Michael Keaton becomes my favorite Actor after watching this movie. As we all know Michael Keaton is the most underrated Actor in the Hollywood Industry and that breaks my heart in a certain way. his acting in this film is INEXPRESSIBLE. Nicole Kidman supported him(Keaton)pretty well as his wife.! The Director of this movie is Bruce Joel Rubin, writer of GHOST(Patrick Swayze, Demi Moore). He did a Marvelous job by directing this movie. But, this movie didn't get any attention whatsoever. that's just bizarre. To be honest i seriously think Keaton should have won the Oscar for his UNBELIEVABLE performance but, despite of that he didn't even get the nomination.! If you really want to see a good family movie you should watch it.!
I watched this movie again after many years and it still moves me to sobbing tears. Bruce Joel Rubin wrote and directed what a lot of people would consider one of the most emotionally moving motion pictures ever made. His vision of childhood disappointment and hanging onto anger are so accurate. His portrait of a young family before, during and after a birth are also very accurate and amusing. And the way he wrote and captured a family accepting, preparing and experiencing a terminal death is so touching and very, very real.It's a shame that Bruce Joel Rubin wasn't recognized for an Oscar, but I guess the Academy figured since he already had one (for writing Ghost), he didn't need another.This movie easily marks Keaton's finest performance, in my opinion. He gets to show off his funny side as well as display some pretty deep emotions. As many IMDb members have already stated, he's one of the most underrated actors.For anyone that has lost a family member to cancer, you will immediately be brought back to the time you lost your loved one. It is so true to life - really well done. For anyone who hasn't lost a loved one to cancer, you will be reminded that life is so precious. Whoever you are, you will cry - so have the tissues handy.
For anyone struggling with cancer or have a family member facing death, this is a must see,,, a real tear jerker and a real healing experience. If you have family issues, resentments, difficulty with parents or siblings or children, rent this movie. It can be very therapeutic. It may get you to appreciate those you love a little more. This movie has a great combination of emotions from belly laughs to rivers of tears, to heart wrenching sadness. If you are afraid of death, rent this. If you are afraid of a loved one's imminent death, see this film. Watch it as a family. Michael Keaton does superb acting, and really should have been an Academy nominee.