A Life of her Own displays an array of talent, but falls short, in part because the primary characters are not likable enough for us to care that much about what happens to them.
The story is intriguing, though. The situation the characters are involved in is a classic one. Most people can relate to it. But the story does not seem focused enough; other subplots and diversions distract from the central drama.
But does the film really know what the central drama is? Is it about the couple? Or the woman? Or the triangle? Is it about the questions of values? Or feelings? When we reach the end, after some out-of-left-field pontificating and amateur psychologizing, what finally was the central question? Notes on this site indicate that the ending was changed because it was unpopular. But without a clear focus, how could this story resolve with a clear message or with clear intent? And how much can you really care about a character that is emotionally damaged if she never really shows any growth or change?
The story is intriguing, though. The situation the characters are involved in is a classic one. Most people can relate to it. But the story does not seem focused enough; other subplots and diversions distract from the central drama.
But does the film really know what the central drama is? Is it about the couple? Or the woman? Or the triangle? Is it about the questions of values? Or feelings? When we reach the end, after some out-of-left-field pontificating and amateur psychologizing, what finally was the central question? Notes on this site indicate that the ending was changed because it was unpopular. But without a clear focus, how could this story resolve with a clear message or with clear intent? And how much can you really care about a character that is emotionally damaged if she never really shows any growth or change?