The Life Ahead

Name: The Life Ahead
Genre: Drama
Released: November 13, 2020
Duration: 94 min
Rating: 66
Cast: Abril Zamora, Babak Karimi, Francesco Cassano, Ibrahima Gueye, Massimiliano Rossi

2020

METASCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 24 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 46 Ratings

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7.3

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7.3	User Score Generally favorable reviews based on 46 Ratings

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Movie Details & Credits

Netflix | Release Date (Streaming): November 13, 2020 | PG-13

Starring: Abril Zamora, Babak Karimi, Francesco Cassano, Ibrahima Gueye, Massimiliano Rossi, Renato Carpentieri, Sophia Loren

Summary: In seaside Italy, Madame Rosa (Sophia Loren), a Holocaust survivor with a daycare business, takes in 12-year-old street kid Momo, the boy who recently robbed her. The two loners become each other’s protectors, anchoring an unconventional family.

Director: Edoardo Ponti

Genre(s): Drama

Rating: PG-13

Runtime: 94 min

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Critic Reviews

Johnny Oleksinski

Nov 5, 2020

The actress is absolute bliss in her new Italian drama, The Life Ahead. Read full review

David Rooney

Oct 29, 2020

Slipping into the flavorful Neapolitan accent of her early years, Loren creates a warm-blooded, grounded character, whose feistiness ebbs slowly as the ravages of age, ill health and painful memory take hold. It's a lovely performance, full of pathos, from an esteemed actress whose wealth of experience illuminates this touching human drama. Read full review

RogerEbert.com Sheila O'Malley

Nov 13, 2020

"The Last Movie Star" paid tribute to Burt Reynolds' career, but also appreciated what he brought to the table as an old man. The Life Ahead operates the same way, allowing Loren similar grace and space. Read full review

Joe Morgenstern

Nov 12, 2020

The book’s climax has been changed, somewhat awkwardly, but the movie doesn’t go soft in the end. I prefer to think it goes tender. Read full review

Chris Barsanti

Nov 9, 2020

With its tough-minded characters from divergent cultures finding a common bond despite their differences, the film doesn’t deliver much in the way of surprises, but it turns out to be a starker and more honest piece of work than it might initially seem. Read full review

Mark Kermode

Nov 15, 2020

The main selling point is Loren, who combines world-weary abrasiveness with a sense of something softer, turning Rosa into a believably divided character who puts a brave face on the future while seeking refuge from the past in the sanctuary of her lonely basement. Read full review

Mick LaSalle

Nov 12, 2020

She is a great talent, a legend, someone who has made enduring classics, and just the fact that she’s still working at 86 is a gift. But somehow none of that makes The Life Ahead, coming to Netflix on Friday, Nov. 13, an experience worth having. Read full review

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User Reviews

Rumentino

Nov 13, 2020

What a movie! Sophia Loren comes out of retirement to deliver an amazing & powerful performance. Gueye manages to connect with the cruel world where we live: immigrants, trans, prostitutes, abandoned children. From the performances, photography, music ( Laura Pausini better gets an Oscar)...What a movie! Sophia Loren comes out of retirement to deliver an amazing & powerful performance. Gueye manages to connect with the cruel world where we live: immigrants, trans, prostitutes, abandoned children. From the performances, photography, music ( Laura Pausini better gets an Oscar)... the movie is entirely worth to watch it. Suggestion... watch it in Italian with subtitles in your language... you will miss lots with the translation...… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

Marce30

Nov 15, 2020

Excelente Película!

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

Ivette630

Feb 13, 2022

Touching storyline worth watching, I absolutely recommend it. Good ending. Never judge a book by its cover.

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

alejandro970

Nov 29, 2020

An example of how love can change everything, and heal. The story may be a bit like what was done before but it has its own light and a memorable performance by Sophia Loren. To see with a handkerchief in hand.

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

HerickDiener

Nov 13, 2020

Carregado pelas ótimas interpretações da lendária Sophia Loren e o novato Ibrahima Gueye, "The Life Ahead" é um bom filme sobre empatia. Ninguém sabe o que o outro viveu para ter a sua casca grossa, e vemos isso em seu enredo da forma mais clara. Se houver justiça, seria ótimo ver Sophia naCarregado pelas ótimas interpretações da lendária Sophia Loren e o novato Ibrahima Gueye, "The Life Ahead" é um bom filme sobre empatia. Ninguém sabe o que o outro viveu para ter a sua casca grossa, e vemos isso em seu enredo da forma mais clara. Se houver justiça, seria ótimo ver Sophia na próxima temporada de premiações como Best Supporting Actress ou mesmo Best Actress.… Expand

2 of 2 users found this helpful20

Brent_Marchant

Jan 12, 2021

Though occasionally somewhat predictable and formulaic, this touching tale about a Holocaust survivor and former streetwalker who takes in and cares for orphans and other cast-aside children shines brilliantly thanks to its outstanding performances and the palpable chemistry of its superbThough occasionally somewhat predictable and formulaic, this touching tale about a Holocaust survivor and former streetwalker who takes in and cares for orphans and other cast-aside children shines brilliantly thanks to its outstanding performances and the palpable chemistry of its superb ensemble cast members. As a streetwise, tough-loving mother figure, veteran actress Sophia Loren (in her first feature film role in 10 years) provides a perfect counterpart to a troubled 12-year-old Senegalese immigrant street child played by newcomer Ibrahima Gueye, helping him find his way and giving him the love, nurturing and support he so desperately needs. Director Edoardo Ponti (Loren's son) serves up a fine effort in his third feature outing, one worthy of the awards buzz it has been generating, especially for his leading lady's stellar portrayal. The story here may seem a little familiar at times, but its execution more than makes up for that, with the 87-year-old Loren adding yet another memorable performance to her storied career.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

Geox29

Nov 14, 2020

Ok... Calm down... The dubbing is not so great and they could actually do a better job. The acting and the Plot is awesome.. 10 times better then any no sense movie around. Sophia did an amazing Job and I am not crazy about her.This movie had my undevided attention and really deserve a good rating

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

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