Warning: This article includes MAJOR SPOILERS for The Life List!
Although Sofia Carson’s The Life List is sweet and satisfying to watch, the story would’ve worked so much better with one significant change. When watching the trailer for the Netflix romantic dramedy, I found myself excited. The story seemed similar to The To-Do List (2013), The Bucket List (2007), and Dash and Lily (2020). I also recognized all three major cast members of The Life List from past projects, and they proved themselves capable of carrying such an emotionally-driven story.
After watching the movie, I enjoyed The Life List for many of the same reasons Screen Rant’s Rachel Lebonte stated in her review. Sofia Carson and Connie Britton both made the most out of the script, with each having heartwrenching scenes. However, the film still had major issues that left it feeling like a draft instead of a completed project. I’m convinced that Netflix could’ve made the story better with one change.
The Life List Would’ve Worked Better As A TV Show, Not A Movie
The Life List Had Too Much Ground To Cover In Two Hours
The Life List is a heartwarming movie, but it could’ve been even better if Netflix made it a TV show instead. Alex’s story takes place over the course of a year, which is a long span for a two-hour movie. The story quickly brushes over and condenses items on the life list. I’d like to see Alex getting her tattoo or look at it up close. They show a sH๏τ of Alex in the mosh pit but quickly move on. The movie leaves it up to viewers to fill in the blanks about how each item emotionally impacts her.
A TV show would’ve given the filmmakers more time to flesh out the characters and show Alex achieving her goals.
The Life List also tries to introduce nuanced characters like Julian, Garrett, and Johnny, but they don’t give them enough time for me to care about them. I only connected with them on an intellectual level instead of an emotional one. Honestly, I never bought Alex and Garrett as a couple because I never had a chance to connect with him, and he disappeared immediately after their breakup. A TV show would’ve given the filmmakers more time to flesh out the characters and show Alex achieving her goals.
The Life List Skipped Over Too Many Important Details
The Life List Set Up Conflicts And Questions Without Fully Resolving Them
One of the most frustrating parts from the start to the end of The Life List is that it skipped important details that would’ve fleshed out the story and given it more emotional resonance. The audience never learns why exactly Alex got stuck in a rut, which makes most of the story pretty shallow. I can empathize with her losing a parent, but her struggle started long before that.
The Life List also doesn’t show Alex coming to terms with her mom’s affair, even though it’s supposed to be a big bombshell. Moreover, the Sophia Carson movie never fully answers why Alex was fired from her past job, leaving the event vague despite its years-long ramifications. All these issues could simply have been fixed if Netflix just made The Life List a TV show instead of a movie. The story either needed fewer subplots that caused unnecessary rushing or more screen time.
