Mother-Daughter Bond Trumped Romance in ‘The Life List’ Movie

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Instead, “I just finished watching ‘The Life List,’ and I must say, it was quite an experience! Yet, you know what struck me the most? Not the romance, surprisingly.

Among the many delightful romantic comedies set to release in 2025, “The Life List” is one I’ve been eagerly anticipating and have finally found time to watch. This movie made its debut as part of the 2025 Netflix lineup, adapted from a book with the same title. The story revolves around a woman who strives to accomplish every item on a list she wrote as a teenager for her “ideal life,” in hopes of claiming an inheritance left by her deceased mother.

This movie has a charming, lighter side, but personally, I’m not fully drawn into the central romance – and we’ll delve deeper into that reason later on.

The Romance Was Cute, But I Didn’t Stay For It

Like I said before, the romance was fine – I didn’t stick around and watch the whole film for it.

While it’s not likely to become one of the top romantic comedies ever made, “The Life List” was nonetheless an enjoyable watch.

There’s a great deal about it that appeals, featuring charming dialogue and a friends-to-lovers dynamic that is enjoyable. If your main interest lies in these elements, you’ll find the movie quite entertaining. However, what I personally sought was a narrative that delves into the deeper questions of life’s desires.

I’m honestly surprised by what the movie gave me—and what I ended up loving the most.

I Was Actually Into The Mother-Daughter Relationship

To start off, let me clarify that I haven’t read the original book. Despite my eagerness for various upcoming film adaptations of books, this one was unknown to me. Consequently, I had absolutely no clue about the movie’s plot beyond its fundamental concept.

Given that the film is categorized as a romantic comedy, we’re all anticipating a dose of heartwarming romance, and it delivers on that front, but what truly captivated me was the intricate mother-daughter bond between Alex and her mom, as well as the videos she had left behind.

Initially, I’d like to express my heartfelt admiration towards Sofia Carson and Connie Britton. It can be quite challenging to find actors who have a genuine on-screen connection, but the difficulty intensifies significantly when they’re not physically present together. In fact, approximately 99% of their scenes involve Alex conversing with her mother, yet these conversations are held while watching DVDs that her mom prepared.

Aside from that, the mother-daughter connection is really what drew me in.

From the outset, it’s clear that their bond is strong, and Alex would go to great lengths to assist his mother. However, when she understands that there’s no cure for her illness, she embraces her mother tightly.

As the movie unfolds, it becomes clear that Alex’s mother isn’t quite as she seemed in Alex’s eyes. She concealed aspects of herself, harbored dreams, and pursued aspirations that Alex uncovered throughout the story. This complex relationship is challenging to portray convincingly when the characters don’t spend much time together on screen.

I Was Loving Their Connection, And How They Communicated

One aspect that particularly resonated with me was how Alex continued to uncover new aspects about his mother, even posthumously. It’s a bond that stands out as extraordinary in its depth and longevity.

Through this journey, Alex uncovers a wealth of new insights about her mother, fostering a unique bond that surpasses any other. The revelation of her true father and the viewing of old videos provide a deeper understanding of herself, her mother, and even the emotions her mom held regarding some of Alex’s life aspirations – it’s truly moving.

In many films similar to this, content like what we’re seeing isn’t typically presented – especially not from a platform like Netflix, which is known for producing some of the most commonplace romantic comedies. However, it’s delightful to encounter something unique and original.

It Reminded Me Of My Own Personal Family Relationship – And I Love That

What really captured my heart about this bond, and what made it even more compelling than the romantic aspect, was its strong resemblance to my relationship with my mom.

In various pieces I’ve written, I’ve talked about my mom on occasions related to our shared film adventures and discussions, such as seeing Carrie together or expressing gratitude for her as a child. Today, she continues to be an integral part of our lives, showing the same love and affection towards me as before.

What I believe stands out in “The Life List” is its authenticity. Although not everyone may have had the ideal family relationship, I’ve been blessed enough to experience it. I am fortunate to have a loving father, an annoying brother at times, but above all, a mother like Elizabeth’s (Alex’s mother) – someone who has always been by my side.

What truly solidified the event for me was when Alex unexpectedly entered her mother’s room as she was making a DVD recording. Unaware of Elizabeth’s actions, she embraced her and declared her love. This heartwarming moment left me with tears in my eyes.

In certain moments of life, you can’t help but wonder about someone else’s circumstances, whether it’s a goodbye that might be permanent or just temporary. This situation brought me back to my mother and me, and while it may seem slightly unusual, I often embrace her and express my love before leaving our home because I always want her to feel assured of my affection.

It took me by surprise how deeply attached I became to this film. To be honest, discussing the similarity between the daughter’s name being Alex and women I often encounter in media feels personal, but it was refreshing and enjoyable.

As a movie enthusiast, the romantic aspect in this film was adorable, but what truly resonated with me was the deep bond between the mother and daughter. It’s made me realize how important it is to express my love to my own mother. So, if you feel the same way, let’s not forget to reach out and tell our mothers just how much they mean to us.

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2025-04-06 23:07