Half a Lifetime

In this mostly unknown HBO production, Four friends who gather for their weekly poker game (played by Busey, Carradine, Rubinek, and Mancuso) go through a harsh night as they try to struggle and cope with the problems facing them in their lives. Their friendship is the bond that holds them together. A very impressive drama, presented almost as a stage production. Basically one set and four actors. was one of HBOs first forays into films.. catch it if you can find it. 8 of 10

A viewer might well be expected to be pleased at the prospect of watching this short (58 min.) Canadian produced film made for HBO, since it is directed by one of the best, Daniel Petrie, its setting is restricted essentially to one room, ideal for demonstration of acting skills, and it features a cast of four men who generally provide solid performances, especially so when under strong direction. However, a creative spark is lacking; certainly not due to the direction, acting or production, all first-rate, but rather from the script of Stephen Metcalfe, wherein dialogue does not develop those requisite elements that give significance to the friendships on display instead of focussing upon manifest idiosyncrasies of the quartet. Following brief introductory scenes depicting three of the cast as they leave their employment sites: an insurance agency for Sam (Saul Rubinek), a high school for teacher Toby (Nick Mancuso), and a machine shop for lathe operator Bart (Gary Busey), the trio gather in the rumpus room of Toby's home where they wait for J.J. (Keith Carradine) to join them for an evening of playing poker. Prior to J.J.s arrival, the others talk constantly, revealing their marital situations and their aspirations for success considering that they have lived "half a lifetime", but when their tardy companion comes upon the scene, he brings unexpected ingredients to the evening that baffle his companions and test their friendship. Busey and Rubinek vigourously energize their roles with all four players impressive as should be expected but, for a work that is composed primarily of dialogue, an absence of plausibility proves damaging, for the piece is, after all, one of conversation, yet a needed feeling of alliance between the four is lacking. Perhaps, as a long-running play, further creation of these characters would be a result.

The plain premise packs plentiful possibilities for a potent production. The dynamics driving drift twixt derelict dudes can drudge up difficult drama; a lot of solid films have been made out of strictly centering a few characters in this way. The possible sticking point here is that the four sole figures before us aren't just common, they're obnoxious: beer-swilling, sport-loving, manly men who are 30 going on 13. Nearly half the runtime here is three of four of these characters joshing one another, and illustrating to viewers how we cannot relate to them and would not want to. Whatever meager conflicts or character ideas we get for 30 full minutes aren't nearly enough to capture the imagination, and I'll be honest, I was less than sure about what I'd committed to. Why, the first half makes me wonder if Saul Rubinek, Gary Busey, or Nick Mancuso were even acting. While the first portion does provide background to underscore the turmoil to come, it's not the best start - half a lifetime, indeed.

As fourth character JJ (Keith Carradine) enters the picture, the tone of the movie changes drastically. The sudden infusion of cutting dialogue and biting drama into the feature is so effusive that it kind of feels out of place for the fact of the discrepancy. Still, the friendly gathering does rather explode as ideas are introduced and tensions boil over. Pointed commentary greets our ears on the desolation of our capitalist hellscape, taking all and giving nothing, and it feels like the cast's acting skills have finally been engaged. Themes present of the desperation and despair of the working class, and it's hard not to feel especially glum at the recognition of how very real the notions are.

Unfortunately, that second half - which already seems slightly off-kilter by comparison to the preceding length - also comes and goes very, very quickly. So quickly that, even being aware that the feature clocks in at under one hour, the ending seems to arrive so abruptly that it's like the bristling energy that had suddenly escalated just as suddenly dropped off the side of a cliff. I think the scenario is ripe for character-driven drama, but its realization in this TV movie is flagging. 'Half a lifetime' is a weirdly meta title, as it feels like we've gotten no more than half a film; if the concept were teased out for even another 10-15 minutes it would feel more complete.

Oh well. There are worse things one could watch, certainly. All I can say is that I had fairly high expectations when I sat for this, and I was let down by the end result. I suppose 'Half a lifetime' is a passable use of one hour if you come across it, but first ask yourself what you may want to watch more.

this movie changed my life and makes you question what life is about. I cannot say much more than that w/o ruining the plot. I would recommend this movie to any "coming of age" person who feels unsure or confused about what life means. It is not an answer to the question, but rather an introspective of what life means to the individual. Or, it could be that I just read to much into it. Either way, it is very well done.