The Life Ahead

The Life Ahead (Italian: La vita davanti a sé) is a 2020 Italian drama film directed by Edoardo Ponti, from a screenplay by Ponti and Ugo Chiti. It's the third screen adaptation of the novel The Life Before Us by Romain Gary. It stars Sophia Loren, Ibrahima Gueye and Abril Zamora.

The Life Ahead
Official poster
Directed byEdoardo Ponti
Produced by
Screenplay by
  • Edoardo Ponti
  • Ugo Chiti
Based onThe Life Before Us
by Romain Gary
Starring
Music byGabriel Yared
CinematographyAngus Hudson
Edited byJacopo Quadri
Production
companies
  • Palomar
  • Impact Partners
  • Artemis Rising
  • Another Chance Productions
  • Foothills Productions
Distributed byNetflix
Release date
  • November 6, 2020 (2020-11-06) (United States)
  • November 13, 2020 (2020-11-13) (Italy)
Running time
95 minutes
CountryItaly
LanguageItalian

It was released in a limited release on November 6, 2020, followed by digital streaming on Netflix on November 13, 2020.

Plot

Madam Rosa is a former prostitute and Holocaust survivor. She provides childcare for the children of "working women." After a 12-year old Senegalese street kid robs her, she reluctantly agrees to take him in. They develop a deep bond and she tries to help him find his way in life, as he learns she is both a Holocaust survivor and an ex-prostitute.[1]

The film is based on Romain Gary's novel, The Life Before Us, and also on Madame Rosa, the film version of the novel directed by Moshe Mizrahi in 1977 and featuring Simone Signoret.[2]

Cast

Production

In July 2019, it was announced that Sophia Loren, Ibrahaim Gueye, Abril Zamora, Renato Carpentieri and Babak Karimi had joined the cast of the film, with Edoardo Ponti directing from a screenplay he wrote alongside Ugo Chiti, based upon the novel The Life Before Us by Romain Gary.[3]

Principal photography began in July 2019 in Bari, Italy.[4]

Release

In February 2020, Netflix acquired worldwide distribution rights to the film.[5] It was released in a limited release on November 6, 2020, followed by digital streaming on Netflix on November 13, 2020.[6][7]

According to Deadline, The Life Ahead became a streaming hit, peaking within Netflix's top ten in 37 different countries. [8]

Critical reception

The Life Ahead holds a 91% approval rating on review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, based on 82 reviews, with a weighted average of 7.00/10. The site's critics consensus reads: "A classic example of how a talented actor can elevate somewhat standard material, The Life Ahead proves Sophia Loren's star power remains absolutely undimmed."[9] On Metacritic, the film holds a rating of 66 out of 100, based on 24 critics, indicating "generally favorable reviews".[10]

In a three-starred review for The Observer, Mark Kermode said of Sophia Loren: "The 86-year-old star’s expressive performance as a former sex worker caring for an orphaned child is the main draw in this sometimes formulaic tale directed by her son."[11]

Accolades
Award Date of ceremony Category Recipient(s) Result Ref.
Alliance of Women Film Journalists Awards January 04 2021 Grand Dame Award For Defying Ageism Sophia Loren Won [12]
Capri Hollywood International Film Festival January 04, 2021
Best Actress Sophia Loren Won [13]
Best Original Song "Io sì (Seen)" Diane Warren, Laura Pausini, & Niccolò Agliardi Won [14]
Best Adapted Screenplay Edoardo Ponti Won [15]
Critics' Choice Movie Awards March 07, 2021
Best Foreign Language Film The Life Ahead Pending [16]
Best Song "Io sì (Seen)" Diane Warren, Laura Pausini, & Niccolò Agliardi Pending [17]
Best Young Performer Ibrahima Gueye Pending [18]
GLAAD Media Awards April 2021 Outstanding Film – Limited Release The Life Ahead Pending [19]
Golden Globe Awards February 28, 2021
Best Foreign Language Film The Life Ahead Pending [20]
Best Original Song "Io sì (Seen)" Diane Warren, Laura Pausini, & Niccolò Agliardi Pending [21]
Hollywood Music in Media Awards January 27, 2021 Best Original Song in a Feature Film "Io sì (Seen)" Diane Warren, Laura Pausini, & Niccolò Agliardi Won [22]
Houston Film Critics Society Awards January 18, 2021 Best Original Song "Io sì (Seen)" Diane Warren, Laura Pausini, & Niccolò Agliardi Nominated [23]
NAACP Image Awards March 27, 2021 Outstanding International Motion Picture The Life Ahead Pending [24]
San Diego Film Critics Society Awards January 11, 2021 Best International Film The Life Ahead Won [25]
Satellite Awards February 15, 2021
Best Actress in a Motion Picture – Drama Sophia Loren Pending [26]
Best Original Song "Io sì (Seen)" Diane Warren, Laura Pausini, & Niccolò Agliardi Pending [26]
Best Adapted Screenplay Edoardo Ponti Pending [26]

References
  1. Zacharek, Stephanie (November 13, 2020). "The Life Ahead Brings Sofia Loren Back to the Screen in a Tearjerker That Fully Earns Its Tears". Time. Retrieved November 24, 2020.
  2. Grisar, P. J. (20 November 2020). "Nice to have you back, Sophia Loren; sorry about the movie". The Forward. Retrieved 23 November 2020.
  3. Vivarelli, Nick (July 10, 2019). "Sophia Loren Returning to the Screen in 'The Life Ahead' (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Retrieved February 17, 2020.
  4. De Marco, Camillo (August 7, 2019). "End of filming for Edoardo Ponti's The Life Ahead". CineEuropa. Retrieved February 17, 2020.
  5. Szalai, Georg (February 17, 2020). "Netflix Acquires 'The Life Ahead' With Sophia Loren". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved February 17, 2020.
  6. Hammond, Pete (September 22, 2020). "Netflix Dates 'The Life Ahead' For November Worldwide Release; Film Legend Sophia Loren's First Movie In A Decade To Get Awards-Season Push". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved September 22, 2020.
  7. D’Alessandro, Anthony (October 28, 2020). "'The Life Ahead' Review: Sophia Loren's Return To The Screen Is Nothing Less Than Triumphant". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved October 28, 2020.
  8. https://deadline.com/2020/11/sophia-loren-life-ahead-netflix-top-ten-1234620218/#!
  9. "The Life Ahead (2020)". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved February 1, 2021.
  10. "The Life Ahead Reviews". Metacritic. Retrieved December 14, 2020.
  11. Kermode, Mark (November 15, 2020). "The Life Ahead review – Sophia Loren's commanding comeback". The Observer. Retrieved November 21, 2020.
  12. https://variety.com/2021/film/awards/alliance-of-women-film-journalists-awards-nomadland-1234878313/
  13. https://deadline.com/2021/01/the-trial-of-the-chicago-7-best-picture-capri-hollywood-loren-hopkins-1234664432/
  14. https://deadline.com/2021/01/the-trial-of-the-chicago-7-best-picture-capri-hollywood-loren-hopkins-1234664432/
  15. https://deadline.com/2021/01/the-trial-of-the-chicago-7-best-picture-capri-hollywood-loren-hopkins-1234664432/
  16. https://deadline.com/2021/02/mank-minari-lead-critics-choice-awards-film-nominations-chadwick-boseman-1234689332/#!
  17. https://deadline.com/2021/02/mank-minari-lead-critics-choice-awards-film-nominations-chadwick-boseman-1234689332/#!
  18. https://deadline.com/2021/02/mank-minari-lead-critics-choice-awards-film-nominations-chadwick-boseman-1234689332/#!
  19. Ramos, Dino-Ray (January 28, 2021). "GLAAD Unveils Nominees For 32nd Annual GLAAD Media Awards; Deadline's New Hollywood Podcast Honored With Special Recognition Award". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on January 28, 2021. Retrieved February 2, 2021.
  20. https://www.goldenglobes.com/
  21. https://www.goldenglobes.com/
  22. "11th Annual HMMA Winners". Hollywood Music in Media Awards. January 27, 2021. Retrieved February 2, 2021.
  23. Neglia, Matt (January 12, 2021). "The 2020 Houston Film Critics Society (HFCS) Nominations". Next Best Picture. Retrieved January 13, 2021.
  24. https://naacpimageawards.net/2021-nominees/#nominee-category-motion-picture
  25. https://www.sdfcs.org/2020-award-winners/
  26. Magidson, Joey (February 1, 2021). "Nominations Announced For The Satellite Awards!". Retrieved February 2, 2021.
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