Life (1996) User Reviews

Brutal, magical...how can these two words co-exist

[radicalmedia · 10/10 · 2 April 2005]

This film is astonishing.

Brutal, Disturbing, Sexy, Mystical, Ethereal, Eerie, Empty and Yearning.

A musical journey into the AIDS block of a prison. The emotional landscape and dream world of John Brumpton's character is depicted as though a lucid dream. It is fragmented and sickening, incomplete and arresting in its movement from moment to moment.

Reminds me of Jean Genet.

This filmmaker should keep making dangerous work like this. I look forward to the next drama from Mr. Johnson.

'Life' as in the slammer, not that of the country squire!

[uds3 · 23 November 2001]

You wanna depress yourself stupid? here's the flick for you then!

Following Johnston's highly acclaimed documentary ETERNITY, comes his feature film debut..and what a downer! Not so much in professionalism and direction, but in choice of subject matter and dubious entertainment factor.

Based on John Brumpton's own play of the same name, LIFE is an exploration of working-class culture within the confines of a male prison. A dismal collection of HIV-positive men, find themselves well on the outer periphery within the system's hierarchial pecking-order.

If dark friendships and bleak conventions are your idea of a good time, you're going to be in your element watching this. Thanks, but WE'LL take a rain-check!