A Beautiful Life (2023) Poster

(I) (2023)

User Reviews

Review this title
41 Reviews
Sort by:
Filter by Rating:
7/10
Worth seeing this romantic Danish film for the last song alone.
cgvsluis26 June 2023
This is the story of a Danish fisherman turned reluctant pop star. Elliot is a hard working fisherman who was raised in the foster system and has the simple dream of fixing up his parents sailboat to sail around the world. He has a wonderful and honest boss who rightfully questions his devotion to his childhood friend Oliver. Oliver's dream is to make it big in the music industry, but unfortunately he doesn't have the talent to get him there. While helping Oliver out at his gig, Elliot gets discovered by the widow of a famous rock star. She seems to think her still grieving daughter (who is a producer) needs a pet project and Elliot is that project.

The rest as they say is history. This is a slow moving love story with some beautiful songs. I am a big fan of great lyrics and I think this film is worth watching for the final song alone (the scene too...but it was the song that had the tears running).

This is a recommendation for all the romantics out there and my review is based on watching the film in it's original Danish language with English subtitles.
19 out of 23 found this helpful. Was this review helpful? Sign in to vote.
Permalink
7/10
A Star is Born Sans a Bodyguard
albertval-695606 June 2023
Don't expect too much because this is a light romantic movie. The main characters are not well-developed. True. Nonetheless, there's tension between them which should count for something. Elliot and Lilly have personal issues of their own. The movie doesn't quite tell whether these are resolved at the end but the viewer can take his pick. If you believe in the lyrics of Elliot's last song, you'd say it will be a happy ending.

What stands out, of course, is Christopher's original music which I enjoyed. Seldom do you watch a movie where the lead actor also composes the songs he sings in the movie.

By no means is the story unique because the theme has been used by earlier films that are even topbilled by bigger, better known actors/singers like A Star is Born and Bodyguard. Still, the movie is enjoyable in its own right.
22 out of 28 found this helpful. Was this review helpful? Sign in to vote.
Permalink
7/10
Sweet film
Sasha_Lauren16 June 2023
Danish singer Christopher Lund Nissen, aka Christopher, composed and performed the soundtrack for this story of a fisherman with a troubled past who is discovered while playing a gig as support for his best friend Oliver. Christopher, with a sculpted face like that of a Greek god combined with a vulnerable angel, sings his heart out in this dramatic tale of creative and career success, love, and loss. Sometimes a 7 is the perfect film for the moment. I was engaged in the story, liked the supporting cast who were also very strong, enjoyed the music, and thought that Christopher nailed his role. Sweet film.
12 out of 14 found this helpful. Was this review helpful? Sign in to vote.
Permalink
6/10
Hope this movie is for you
kigaiyuuto4 June 2023
The trailer is very representative of the movie. Down-on-his-luck good looking fellow had a chance at stardom (and love). The plot is both cliche and yet probably true in real life.

The first half is well-grounded but the second half feels rushed. The music is good although it never reveals the background story of each song. Acting is uneven and the movie is a reminder not to eat too much processed food as most of the actors have warts.

It is what it said on the tin. It's not trying to be Once or Sing Street and no Hemsworth brothers could sing and star in these type of romantic movie, I'll take it. A wonderful lazy Sunday movie while you're sipping tea and having biscuits.
8 out of 14 found this helpful. Was this review helpful? Sign in to vote.
Permalink
6/10
Wasn't what I expected, but was happy I was wasn't
paddyintoronto10 June 2023
Warning: Spoilers
Spoiler alert: I've watched a lifetime of movies about rising to the top. I was mistaken. There was that element, but a lot of them centered around the central character, his trial and tribulations of leaving behind a stable life of day-to-day labor. The music was great but the story was okay. There was a bit of a disconnect as to why his character was so put off by being groomed into a music artist. He wrote and sang his own music. Personally, based on the attitude of the music company, that basically kidnapped him from prison, what did that recording contract look like? The one true thing that was real, besides a pregnancy, was the fact when you get to a point when you start to move in a different direction from your friends, you need to leave them behind to an extent of perhaps ending that the aspect of the friendship. That may sound harsh. But even North American film like Bridesmaid did that. Sure It was all 'happily ever after' at the end, European films are a little more realistic. They depict things that are more realistic. How many people burn you and you suddenly start to sing an ABBA song to make up to them? Life is not a Hallmark movie.
2 out of 3 found this helpful. Was this review helpful? Sign in to vote.
Permalink
6/10
Harmonious Melodies and Simple Romance
Pranali_Patil14 January 2024
Stumbling upon the Danish movie "A Beautiful Life" on OTT was a pleasant surprise. Elliot, the lead guy and a Danish singer, steals hearts with his amazing voice. Each song resonates, adding a delightful layer to the narrative. The chemistry between Elliot and Lilly is charming, bringing a sweet touch to the storyline.

While the acting by the cast is commendable, the film falls short on depth in its storytelling. It leaves you wishing for more. You can get a 'A star is born' vibe. However, it is a nice one-time watch, thanks to the captivating musical moments and the genuine charm of the lead actors.
1 out of 1 found this helpful. Was this review helpful? Sign in to vote.
Permalink
6/10
Great essence but weird storyline
adrianhedelin9 August 2023
Warning: Spoilers
I love the feelings this movie evoked in me. The romance between Elliot & Lilly felt very real & convincing. Beautiful cinematogrophy, amazing songs. However, I don't really get the Oliver part.

Oliver gets attacked & knife threatened by 3 guys, and Elliot decide to help him by beating down the knife carrier.

But then 1. He gets arrested What? He literally prevented a knife attack

2. Why does Oliver hate Elliot for literally risking himself to save him?

And then Oliver just leaves & doesn't answer Elliots calls.

Then Elliot gets famous & now Oliver is suddenly back talking to him like nothing happened.

For some reason, Elliot is happy to have him back & straight up cuts of Lilly to hang out with a friend thats obviously fake & jealous.

I don't get it.
1 out of 2 found this helpful. Was this review helpful? Sign in to vote.
Permalink
8/10
Good
DVK123411 June 2023
Don't listen to the negative reviews. Very nice story about a troubled fisherman with musical talent who gets discovered instead of his friend.

In there is a deeper story of why he is troubled, the relationship he has with his record producer, the baggage they each carry. His friend is a big opportunistic jerk, but for some reason, probably because of all of the hurt and bad stuff Elliott has endured, he has a real connection with Oliver and wants to stick by him.

Acting is good, music is amazing. I find the foreign films always do it better. Reminds me of A Star is Born but the 2.0 version.

I recommend it!
25 out of 32 found this helpful. Was this review helpful? Sign in to vote.
Permalink
7/10
STRUMMING INTO SOMEONE'S HEART...!
masonfisk19 June 2023
Warning: Spoilers
Cue the digital orders for this man's music featured in this current Netflix original which details a lowly fisherman in Denmark, played by the one named performer Christopher, who gets an unexpected shot at stardom when he subs for a friend during an open mike night. After the wife of a famous artist takes an interest in him, she brings in her daughter, Inga Ibsdotter Lilleaas, to produce him. Their relationship is a fractious one but soon enough a romance develops while his friend, Paw Henriksen, feeling like Christopher got the chance he was due ends up torching his boat in retaliation. Nothing you haven't seen or more importantly heard before w/the songs this side of an American Idol/The Voice try out makes this a tale of good looking people having an occasional bad time w/an ending as assured as sunshine during the summer.
0 out of 3 found this helpful. Was this review helpful? Sign in to vote.
Permalink
4/10
Christopher is good but the story is not
amandakroghn6 June 2023
I watched this movie to see Christopher acting as I've only known him as a musician and singer. And his acting surprised me positively. He portrayed Elliot with very much charisma and very beliveable portraying a troubled Young man. I would love to see him in a movie with more substance though. The story was very predictable and has been told a million times before. The whole background story was way more interesting than the rise to fame. The movie is very nicely filmed, nicely shot scenes and beautiful catchy songs, which I think will be a hit this summer on the Danish festivals if Christopher is touring. Over all an okay watch.
14 out of 18 found this helpful. Was this review helpful? Sign in to vote.
Permalink
10/10
Ignore the bad review, this is a lovely movie
HoneyFloating10 June 2023
I don't get all the low star reviews. But it seems to happen more and more with subtle movies that rely more on the emotions they convey and all the things that are being said in the silences. I feel people are so accustomed to flashy super hero movies and probably scroll on their phone's endlessly while watching that they fail to see nuance.

I watched the movie in Danish with subtitles, which is my recommendation for any movie. Dubbed is not the same, even when the actors themselves do it. There is rawness and depth in the original performance that no dubbing can ever convey. It also means you actually have to watch the movie and can't do anything else at the same time.

This movie is foremost a music movie, it lives by Christopher's songs that are well written for the story. The story is about loss and the impact it has on people's lives. Overcoming grief, especially when it's a child's grief and the parents died way too early, is so very hard. Elliot is trapped in his grief. While it is painful it's also familiar and somehow safe, because he has been in that place of grief for such a long time. Letting go of that grief and opening to new relationships, new people who care about him, seeing all the people who love him, is the challenge he needs to overcome.

One of my favorite scenes is when is fisherman boss delivers him to the producer's house and fires him. There is much love in him, pushing Elliot towards a good thing, but it takes Elliot forever to see that.

Every character deals with loss and grief in this movie. And it's very interesting so see how different they deal with it. But watch for yourself to see.
26 out of 35 found this helpful. Was this review helpful? Sign in to vote.
Permalink
5/10
Wanted to love it, but script blew it for me!
mybeat16 June 2023
Trailer was amazing! Been listening to Christophers music for years and was surprised to see him playing the lead role in a movie. This could have been an amazing film..

Production quality is good, cinematography is good and the music is amazing...but the story and script are not well made.

Something is just off. Its too cliche and too much drama for nothing for example at the beginning. It just doesnt feel right and real. Just for the sake of drama the characters seem to say and do things to build tension. Feels to rushed. The romance happens way to fast - One minute she is pissed all the time and doesn't respect him at all, the next minute... Nothing is really authentic, except when he starts to sing! They tried to hard to put as much drama as possible into it. The only thing missing was a deadly illness...

I really wanted to love the movie, to feel with the characters , but it was just average. A film for cozy sundays. Could have been so much more. The chemistry with the female lead role is also not believable enough for me.

Christopher is a massive talent. The songs are great. Watch it if you like cliche easy flat movies and love this kind of music.
15 out of 20 found this helpful. Was this review helpful? Sign in to vote.
Permalink
10/10
My family is going nuts because I won't stop playing the soundtrack
rnsharon-4495616 June 2023
I happened upon this movie and now I can't get it, the music, or Christopher's abs out of my head!! I've literally been streaming the soundtrack for four days straight. "Led Me To You" may be the most persistent earworm I've ever heard. I'm not really into pop music, which most of his older material seems to be, but this soundtrack has just enough acoustic guitar to justify me loving it. Sure, the movie could have been better, the characters developed more, but it's good enough to watch a couple times in a weekend. I should know. It won't win any Oscars, but I'm hoping it wins Christopher an American Tour!! I'll buy a ticket!!
9 out of 11 found this helpful. Was this review helpful? Sign in to vote.
Permalink
4/10
Exactly what it looks like
thensdt5 June 2023
Good songs and great voice but that's mostly it.

Can fill an evening / afternoon if you want a romcom with some music in it and you don't feel like searching.

A classical romcom with music as expected with an acceptable character synergy but a real lack of work on the story.

The movie feels quite lazy especially in terms of the main character backstory. There was potential in the central character if he was given an actually good backstory and evolution. The other character actually has more backstory but it also feels lackluster and poorly exploited. The movie just sticks to the classical trope of romantic movies with music as part of the plot.

PLUS: the music MINUS: predictable, lack of main character development.
11 out of 14 found this helpful. Was this review helpful? Sign in to vote.
Permalink
10/10
Don't see the negatives with this one
kwclients17 June 2023
I truly enjoyed this movie and I am glad that I did not look up Elliott until after the movie. I did not know that he's an actual singer/songwriter and that for me made it a MAJOR plus! When I saw the credits and just saw his name using just his first I knew he was the real deal and man can he sing! Unlike the negative reviews here, I watched a believable movie of a hesitant lost soul trying to navigate an injured past and if anything the parallel was drawn between an unfortunate soul with no trappings (him) to a unfortunate soul with all the trappings (her) hence the love story that developed believably & nicely, so what a slow pace? Any faster would have been not natural as the pace the movie was taking to develop the character & narrative. It was paced with just life as we know it, nothing glitzy or glamorous but real. Amazing, but interesting how many can watch the same movie with such diverse takeaways, but for me, I loved it, became a fan of Christopher, what a voice and a singing talent. It is relatable and simplistic with realistic life complexities. Worth a watch for sure!
10 out of 13 found this helpful. Was this review helpful? Sign in to vote.
Permalink
4/10
Cliché-filled romance
birdy003 June 2023
A very cliché-filled romance with a VERY cliched "twist" at the end. Nothing new or different really. The story itself has potential, but it feels rushed in the film. It could have had potential as a series, so the characters could be more developed. You never really get to know them and most of them appear unlikeable. The things you do find out about them are (for the most part) just something another character drops and is not introduced naturally. However, the songs are good and Christopher is an amazing singer - and a surprisingly good actor. SO if you're into downright cliché-filled romantic movies - this one's for you.
16 out of 28 found this helpful. Was this review helpful? Sign in to vote.
Permalink
8/10
Cute underdog movie
nicnate-672404 June 2023
Although I agree with the previous reviews and I did in fact watch it on a lazy rainy Sunday morning, I believe if you just watch the movie without anyone hyping it up to be a great movie you can appreciate it for what it is... a good underdog, turning into a star/love movie. Yes it is a cliche movie and it's been done before, but I've always liked a movie with an underdog and I enjoyed his music. Also agree after reading the other reviews it would've made a great series to stretch it out a bit more so it didn't seem so rushed and to get to know the characters better.

It would've been nice to see the ending played out after his last song.
19 out of 28 found this helpful. Was this review helpful? Sign in to vote.
Permalink
2/10
Very Predictable with some bad story lines
fredmw-4676114 June 2023
When a movie starts with some unreasonable story lines, it loses credibility fast. For example, the main character defends his friend who gets attacked by a guy with a knife, and the friend is angry with him and totally cuts him off. LOL. Just dumb. Later, the main character is told to go to the house of a famous musician given that he's got a good voice and has great potential. He refuses to do so, who knows why, but a friend he works with forces him to go. Just dumb. Not realistic.

I made it through the part where he falls in love with a producer lady, but I knew where the plot was heading. Without seeing the rest, fame is going to get to him and it will be reminiscent of her dad, who put fame over her and eventually killed himself. But somehow the fisherman turned singer we'll be the better version and they'll live happily ever after. Am I right? Just dumb. :)
5 out of 8 found this helpful. Was this review helpful? Sign in to vote.
Permalink
8/10
Nothing like I expected
janaelightbourne2 June 2023
Warning: Spoilers
I expected this to be another raunchy rom com it partially predicable my not boring in the slightest give it a watch I promise u won't regret it. I passed it on Netflix so many time because like I said I thought it would be a typical rom com but it started at a nice pace and I hope they create another part to say what happened with Elliot and Oliver and Elliot showing him that he doesn't need him . This was a great cast great acting great plot and a create setting . If writers would start writing rom coms like this I would watch all tbh . I hope I persuaded u enough this movie speaks for itself give it a watch 👍
20 out of 31 found this helpful. Was this review helpful? Sign in to vote.
Permalink
4/10
Cringy, but with good music
OJT3 June 2023
Be aware of this imdb-score, as it's way to high. This movie feel way too amateurish to that standard we've learned to know Danish movies.

The artist which is here portrayed as a genius, both acts like a baby and seems totally out of anything else what may be as star.

He acts like he is quite stupid, he must have been told to be both akward and inept in his way of communication - so how come he is a genius in lyrics and sing writing?

Well the love story also feels both unlikely and worse of all, quite cringy. It feels like romance pulp fiction litterature. It will be quite impressive if you stand watching the whole movie through. I must admit I didn't, as I felt more and more unwell watching. It probably deserves even worse marks, but the idea is OK, and could've turned out a classic in the right hands.
17 out of 50 found this helpful. Was this review helpful? Sign in to vote.
Permalink
10/10
Elegantly Integration Life's Story with the Story of Song
Scotslad_00710 June 2023
This has a slow complicated burn but builds beautifully exploring the messy and beautiful parts of our life. The songs come at poignant moments and show the resilience when those around you believe in you more than yourself. There are moments you want to turn away as it represents our own personal demons and toxic relationships.

The songs by themselves, each on there own are on point and I will be adding to my Spotify list. But how they merge with the story give me hope that such beautiful movies like this exist.

This movie is well worth making it to the end and experiencing the up and downs through music, ultimately you are rewarded with a well rounded movie.
16 out of 24 found this helpful. Was this review helpful? Sign in to vote.
Permalink
4/10
Not so good
wruzek6 June 2023
Warning: Spoilers
It's a story of a fishing boat worker who plays rhe guitar for his singing buddy performing in local bars. One night his buddy freezes during the performance and our fisherman fills in and is a big success. From there he becomed a super star.

The story line goes on from there as expected with a girlfriend and other personal problems. The girl gets pregnant and he seems to be overcome and takes off. Thankfully there is no abortion.

Our hero does utter the standard industry blasphemy just once to put the evil stamp of approval on the movie.

The singing is horrific and some of the acting the same. If you really want to suffer through this, there is a happy ending.
9 out of 24 found this helpful. Was this review helpful? Sign in to vote.
Permalink
8/10
Worth Watching
ceojonathanmontgomery14 June 2023
Warning: Spoilers
Hello fellow Humans,

This movie is good and bad all rolled into one. What do I mean by this. The movie has the main character who is a simple worker and doesn't have dreams of being a great singer. But he sings at a bar in a band because his friend messed up. Which a girl happens to be their who is in the industry. Apparently her father was a good musician and he died. So she helps him. But her mother is what makes the movie bad. Really the mother didn't need to be in the movie. Her role wasn't needed at all. Honestly the mother ruined parts of the movie for me. This was a good movie for the most part. If you watch it you will see why I say the mother isn't needed. The young woman could have pushed the main character with kindness and a little hardness. The woman could have been someone who inspired him to want to sing. The mother is ruthless and really a villain who didn't need to be a part of the movie. This movie had all the normal things like tragedy, heartbreak, love, happiness, sadness etc. Good movie and worth watching.
7 out of 9 found this helpful. Was this review helpful? Sign in to vote.
Permalink
5/10
So much potential
manuel-6323727 December 2023
I mean, there was so much potential, but this film is really bad. The writing is a catastrophe. The story and all characters are so shallow. You just don't feel with the characters and the story is simply not realistic. That is just not the way it works.

I am a musician and producer and there are so many really cringe moments in this film. I needed 3 starts until I managed to finish the film. The actors are not that bad. I bet they could play better.

Anyway: I am sad tat this film does not reach its full potential. But at least the songs are good. The writing of the songs is much better. And his performance is great.
1 out of 1 found this helpful. Was this review helpful? Sign in to vote.
Permalink
8/10
Beautiful movie
greekdx8 June 2023
Warning: Spoilers
A beautiful life A nice story on how a fisherman changed his life to something much better. More then 45 minute from the start are so slow that they rely made me ...sleep.

Fortunately the love ingredient and the very slow chemistry with Lilly, the co protagonisit started making this movie more uprising and lively. Christopher is really a good singer There were some interesting twists but very bad for him as the return of his friend who pressed him to cooperate and the burning of his boat I cant compare that as a typical romcom. It isn't. Instead the movie is another personal growth movie for a person who preferred not to adapt himself in the advanced community of today. This movie is not so much on the romance that is part of the plot. The only weird for me is him using English in his songs instead of Dutch Around 8/10 Beautiful movie.
12 out of 18 found this helpful. Was this review helpful? Sign in to vote.
Permalink
An error has occured. Please try again.

See also

Awards | FAQ | User Ratings | External Reviews | Metacritic Reviews


Recently Viewed