The Life List

The Life List (2025) was surprisingly easy to sit through, even with its longer runtime. The pacing was pretty well-balanced, which helped a lot. I appreciated how the story packed in life lessons without getting preachy or feeling like it was dragging. It had this light tone that made it watchable while still trying to say something meaningful, even if it didn't always dig as deep as it could've.

The directing was a bit safe, and while that's not always a bad thing, I think the movie could've gone a little further with emotional depth. A lot of the focus is placed on how the main character reacts to situations, but sometimes it felt like the movie brushed past what actually mattered in the moment. The acting, though, made up for a lot of that. The leads did a solid job carrying the weight of the story. The supporting cast was hit-or-miss, but nothing that pulled me out of it.

Visually, it looked great. The cinematography was smooth, with a nice mix of bright tones and more grounded scenes that worked well with the mood. I also really liked the music choices. The soundtrack wasn't overwhelming but it blended in perfectly, adding just enough to keep the emotional beats working. The script had its flaws, sure, but it didn't feel forced. It served the story, and even if it leaned into familiar territory, it didn't lose its charm. All in all, it's not groundbreaking, but it's a comforting watch with a decent message.

After watching this film, I could say it was inspired by P. S. I Love You, but changing it to a mother's love and showing her daughter that when you walk down the road of life you can get lost, and to find yourself, you need to remember what you wanted to be. Sofia Carson acts cleanly, showing sympathy and involving you in her character; certain parts can be perfectly related to one's life, making it clear that not everything is fiction.

There are several lines from the film that I can take away. And although the film is predictable: love always triumphs even after death, and if a mother sees her son lost, even with her last breath she will try to advise him and make him understand that we can't settle for less. Yes, I recommend the film, so put it on your list.

I don't get why Netflix casts this actress for main roles. The movie could have been so much better if someone else was portraying Alex. It seemed to me the whole time she was trying to keep her hair unmoveable. Her face and frame is staying still in moments when she could have shown some spark. It annoys me how she is whispering her words. I didn't believe her for a second she is "Alex", I didn't see the character - only the actress pretending to be someone. I had the same issue with her in the other main role for Netflix - Purple hearts. Exactly the same face and hair issue, all the same "play", whispering and posing beautifully. I mean - she is very beautiful, no denying that.

The movie is good, perfectly predictable, plain and flat. You get it from the title. From the 5th minute on you know what is going to happen and almost exactly how. All of the characters you have already seen in all the other movies of the same type, no surprise whatsoever, no complexity. Worth for killing 2 hours.

I liked the story overall, I think the book is probably good. Haven't read it yet, maybe will some day.

The Life List is a nice watch - warm, well-paced, and not overly dramatic. What stayed with me most is the message: pain and loss are part of life, but suffering is a choice. That idea isn't presented in a preachy way - it's just woven into the characters' decisions, especially as the main character starts reconnecting with what actually matters.

The portrayal of the mother-daughter relationship was especially well done. It shows how grief can create distance but also bring people back together, without sugarcoating the process.

It's the kind of movie that makes you pause - not because it's groundbreaking, but because it reminds you of things you already knew but maybe forgot. Like how helping others can also heal something in you.

I can't help but compare it with PS I Love You. Now they have different approaches and plot so it's hardly fair to do so but while watching this I just wish they dug deeper into it and the other movie kept popping out my mind.

It's not a bad movie by any means. It's soft and warm feeling when watching I did tear up in some scenes because I can relate with the deceased mother scenario so it felt more personal to me seeing a mother-daughter movie. It's very simple and predictable movie that tries to focus on character growth, familial bonding, love, career...basically life and having the better version of yourself. But that's the issue is that they skirted very lightly on these. There's just so many focus points that they never got that deep. Like for example I could hardly feel the grief coming from the siblings. They touched upon this here and there but nowhere near enough.

The movie feels too clean like they're afraid to get dirty with touching the themes but anyway the way they went about the list is good. It felt mature and not childish. I do like the chemistry between the leads. The characters aren't perfect and kinda messy too so they do feel real and not picture perfect fiction. Overall it's good enough for a watch.