My Life (1993/I)

Director:

Bruce Joel Rubin

Writer (WGA):

Bruce Joel Rubin (written by)

Release Date:

12 November 1993 (USA)

Genre:

Drama

Tagline:

every moment counts

Plot:

A terminally ill man prepares for his death.

Plot Keywords:

Cancer | Death | Reconciliation | Baby | Nightmare

Cast

Michael Keaton	...	Bob Jones
Nicole Kidman	...	Gail Jones
Bradley Whitford	...	Paul Ivanovich
Queen Latifah	...	Theresa
Michael Constantine	...	Bill Ivanovich
Rebecca Schull	...	Rose Ivanovich
Mark Lowenthal	...	Dr. Hills
Lee Garlington	...	Carol Sandman
Toni Sawyer	...	Doris
Haing S. Ngor	...	Mr. Ho
Romy Rosemont	...	Anya Stasiuk
Danny Rimmer	...	Young Bobbie
Ruth de Sosa	...	Young Rose Ivanovich
Richard Schiff	...	Young Bill Ivanovich
Stephen Taylor Knot	...	Young Paul Ivanovich

MPAA:

Rated PG-13 for mature subject matter.

Runtime:

117 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby SR

Certification:

Iceland:L | Canada:PG (Ontario) | South Korea:12 | UK:12 (original rating) | UK:15 (video rating) | Philippines:G | Argentina:13 | Australia:PG | Chile:14 | Finland:K-8 | Spain:13 | Sweden:11 | USA:PG-13 | Singapore:PG

Filming Locations:

Chicago, Illinois, USA

Company:

Capella Films

Trivia:

Michael Keaton had previously played Batman. Nicole Kidman went on to play Batman's love interest in Batman Forever (1995) with Val Kilmer, and then appeared with subsequent Batmans George Clooney in The Peacemaker (1997) and Christian Bale in The Portrait of a Lady (1996).

Goofs:

Continuity: When Bob is at the amusement park & walking down the ramp to get on the roller coaster (which is really Colossus at Six Flags Magic Mountain in Valencia, CA), it's obvious he is going the wrong way down the exit ramp rather than using the real entrance. In the next shot, he is shown on the other side of the roller coaster track getting into the coaster.

Quotes:

Bob Jones: Dying's a really hard way to learn about life.

Movie Connections:

References "Today" (1982)

Soundtrack:

OVER THE RAINBOW

Keaton Gets Overlooked Again

In my personal, yet almost humble opinion, Michael Keaton is the most underrated actor out there. It seems like this man could star in a movie portraying himself and the critics would still claim that he wasn't believable.

The first time I ever saw Michael Keaton was in 'Night Shift' and I thought to myself, "This guy is one of the funniest people on Earth". He put in terrific performances in 'Beetlejuice' and 'Clean & Sober' in 1988, but yet wasn't even nominated for those roles.

MY THEORY: Maybe the judges felt that his portrayal of a recovering alcoholic in 'Clean & Sober' would strike too close to home for many of the recovering alcoholics in the Shrine Auditorium, but that's not my point.

From his portrayal of Bruce Wayne/Batman in 1989 (and again in 1992) to his remarkable bad guy in 'Pacific Heights' in 1990, Keaton has continued to amaze me with the range of acting that he has.

In November 1993, I saw 'My Life' and I could just feel that he was going to win an Academy Award for it.

Come February 1994, the nominations are announced and Keaton isn't even on the list. What the...? I guess cancer wasn't the cool disease that year, since in the end, Tom Hanks won for 'Philadelphia'.

Stepping down from my soapbox: 'My Life' is a great film. It's funny, thought provoking and yes, VERY SAD. I love this show and I hope that you check it out when you get a chance because I think you will be pleasantly surprised.