New Life (2016) Reviews

• Heartwarming message, but romantic drama falls flat.

  sam-979032017-03-10

  This story focuses on the relationship between a loving couple -- and how they weather the ups, downs, and unexpected curve balls life throws at them. Although there's a tragic twist (which drives a sad character to destruction in a few scenes), overall it's a family-focused film with a solid marriage at its center. Language is limited to one "oh God" said in a heated moment, and while the main characters are very affectionate. The message of the movie'd be: Keep going, no matter what kind of hardship comes your way. But the execution is flawed, and there's little here that makes Ben and Ava's story truly compelling to watch.

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• Too Contrived

  larrys32017-08-26

  Benjamin (Jonathan Patrick Moore) and Ava (Erin Thea) have grown from inseparable childhood friends into an adult loving couple. Their chemistry on screen works well, in my opinion. However, this modern day "Love Story" has just too many contrivances and cardboard-like characters to be truly effective. The melodrama amidst the tragedy and grief in parts of the film may work for some viewers but I wasn't one of them. All in all, although the movie tries to end on a poignant note, it was more of a depressing slog than entertainment for me.

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• I'm stunned this movie isn't rated higher!!

  huggibear2018-10-21

  I gave this movie a solid 8 because: 1. The main actress (Erin Bethea from another excellent movie called Fireproof) and the director (Drew Waters) came to our little town in Vermont and promoted it. I watched it right along with so many others and they all thought it was a phenomenal movie. What are people thinking? So what? It's an Indie movie! It's not ever going to be a 'I Can Only Imagine' kind of movie on such a smaller scale. However, I thought it was well done and it's hardly receiving the credit it rightfully deserves. 2. It really was well put together and it has a great message for anyone going through any sort of heartbreak/grieving process. I bought the DVD and think it should be gifted to anyone of my family member's because there has been a double loss here less than one month ago. I think it would benefit them to have this kind of message. So maybe it doesn't deserve a solid 8, but it sure doesn't deserve to be a 5.6 Star film because that's a lame rating for a movie done well with great acting, great scenes, good messages and a nice PG rating as a family-friendly addition. Everyone should see it at least once. It's worth that much!

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• Simple, but effective movie with surprising turns

  Ingrouille1812017-10-09

  I was allowed to sit in the audience for the first ever Romford film festival and award show, and I even got to speak with the director Drew Waters after. Since he won the award for best director and a few other awards, his film New Life was the first one I saw the next morning. And I gotta say I really enjoyed New Life. Definitely good directing, as well as good lighting, editing, sound and acting all around. The story revolves around childhood friends, Ben and Ava, who ultimately begin a relationship. Despite not working at first, they decide to get married, and are even expecting a baby. That is until one day Ava has a miscarriage, and is ultimately diagnosed with cancer. Throughout it all the two love and support each other, and despite things seemingly getting better for the two, fate will go a much darker way for them. I liked the story, and even though it's a story I feel I've watched a hundred times, Waters still puts his own unique style to it. At one point I thought I was watching a documentary cause that's how good the acting is; feels like they're real people. Can't wait to see what the two leading actors, Jonathan Patrick Moore and Erin Bethea have in store for us in the future. At the awards Waters talked about the casting process and how out of 1,000 other actors, Moore was his first and final pick for the character Ben. The film throughout worked for me, and many others seeming as Waters won the award for best director. The story ends on a bittersweet note, and I even enjoyed the opening and ending monologues. I don't wanna give it a score; I think movies like these, especially if they're enjoyable to watch should be un-gradable, but I still wanna give it a 7 out of 10. Definitely worth the watch. Give it a see.

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• I cried like a baby but loved how Ben chose to go on

  vgarris-138752019-02-04

  Great acting, great story. It shows you how special yet short life is, and no matter what happens, you must go on. I enjoyed this.