Life

1999
R
1h 48m

IMDb RATING

6.8/10

56K

YOUR RATING

POPULARITY

3,403

Eddie Murphy, Martin Lawrence, Bernie Mac, and Michael Taliferro in Life (1999)

Home Video Trailer from Universal Studios Home Entertainment

Play trailer1:39

2 Videos

77 Photos

Buddy Comedy Comedy Crime Drama

In 1932, two strangers are wrongfully convicted and develop a strong friendship in prison that lasts them through the 20th century.In 1932, two strangers are wrongfully convicted and develop a strong friendship in prison that lasts them through the 20th century.In 1932, two strangers are wrongfully convicted and develop a strong friendship in prison that lasts them through the 20th century.

See production info at IMDbPro

IMDb RATING

6.8/10

56K

YOUR RATING

POPULARITY

3,403

See production info at IMDbPro

Nominated for 1 Oscar
- 1 win & 6 nominations total

Videos2

Trailer 1:39

Watch Life (1999)

Trailer 0:50

Watch Soprano: A La Vie, A La Mort

Photos77

+ 70

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Storyline

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Did you know

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Trivia
When Ray and Claude are standing on a box of bottles, Claude mentions that a one of his toes has slipped into one of them. This actually happened during the take, but Martin Lawrence kept going, despite Eddie Murphy's laughing, which is genuine.

Goofs
When Ray and Claude are older in the superintendents house talking in their room. You can see that Ray is fixing his bodysuit. He is pulling down his stomach.

Quotes
Goldmouth: Maybe I oughta eat *your* cornbread.
Rayford Gibson: Motherfucker, you can't have my cornbread. That's for damn sure. Cause if you try and take my cornbread, Part 2 of my killing spree is gon' begin up in here on your ass, right now. You thinking about my cornbread, better get the taste out your mouth. That's for damn sure.
Claude Banks: Ray, chill out...
Rayford Gibson: No, fuck him. Fuck that, 'cause I'm from New York City, goddammit. Nobody take no cornbread from me. That goes for anyone of you motherfucking farmers who wanna start some shit. You fuck around with me, there's gonna be consequences and repercussions.

Crazy credits
Bloopers are shown during the closing credits.

Connections
Featured in Maxwell: Fortunate (1999)

Soundtracks
Wake Up Everybody
Written by Gene McFadden, John Whitehead, Victor Carstarphen
Produced by Wyclef Jean and Jerry 'Wonder' Duplessis
Performed by Robby Pardlo
Courtesy of Booga Basement Records

User reviews191

Review

Featured review

One of Eddie Murphy's best films.

If you're not a fan of Eddie Murphy's humor, then skip this one.

The movie begins in modern times, 1997, with the main characters' funerals. The movie then flashes back to 1932 to begin telling their story, and continues as they age in prison in Mississippi.

They were "petty criminals" but were sentenced to life in prison for a murder they did not commit. However, being black in 1930s Mississippi did them no favors. The story that unfolds is irreverent and funny and has enough twists along the way to keep things very interesting.

I can't understand why the average rating of this movie is below "6". I give it "8" of "10" for its overall entertainment value, plus a few "life's little lessons" thrown in. I think it is one of Eddie Murphy's best movies.

OCT 2020 edit: I just watched it again after 20 years, this time on DVD. While most of it was somewhat familiar I had forgotten the last scene in Yankee Stadium.