"Life or Something Like It" is a romantic comedy that wants to be a drama about reevaluating one's life circumstances. It was a movie with a lot of very good actors in it, particularly Angelina Jolie, Ed Burns, and Tony Shaloub. However, in the end, it wasn't as original as it could have been, and its message is far from unique. If I had a nickel for every time a movie used the hackneyed phrase, "Live life to its fullest", I would probably never have to shell out my last ten dollars to see a movie at the movie theater again. For those reasons, the movie was really just okay to me; not great.Angelina Jolie stars as Lanie Kerrigan, a young ambitious TV reporter who is already well-recognized and credible in her local Seattle network affiliate. Her ambition is to be a reporter on the "Today Show"-like network morning news show "AM USA". When she gets the opportunity to audition for the show, a street psychic (the great Tony Shaloub) "prophesizes" her death effective seven days from the day she asked.Admittedly, it is nice to see Jolie in a role that doesn't involve her being a tough-as-nails action hero or a sex kitten. Also, she had some good parts in this movie that were a bit heartfelt, such as when she reflects on her rebellious childhood, or reconnects with her blue-collar father. However, as good an actress as Jolie truly is, my guess is that she must not have done much research for her role. Why? Because she is completely unconvincing as a TV reporter. When asking questions (particularly in her last interview), she practically whispered her questions, which is something TV reporters (at least good ones) should not and do not do. Jolie probably should have studied Katie Couric or Meredith Viera, and she wouldn't even have to leave her trailer to do it either.Her romance with Ed Burns' character was also really hokey, not to mention predictable. He's a good looking guy, and they fight constantly in the beginning of the movie. Such a setup is so overdone (even dating as far back as Shakespeare's "Much Ado About Nothing") and so unoriginal that I was not surprised at all when their romantic scene came up. It surprised me too, because Burns is not only one of the more likable lead actors in the history of romantic comedies, but he has also starred in, written, and directed some of the most original romantic comedies ever ("The Brothers McMullan", "She's The One"). Burns is still likable in his role, but this romantic subplot is so cliché that it really ruins the film.The plot involving Jolie trying to deny or avoid death was also completely unbelievable, particularly towards the end. First, without ruining anything, Jolie's character realization of her fate in the very end seemed a bit contrived given her circumstances. Second, I didn't really get involved with her character enough to care if she died in the end. I guess the character wasn't developed enough, or the plot was too flimsy and archaic. I can't decide which.This movie was certainly not terrible, and it had its moments. For the most part, though, there were too many scenes in this movie that went beyond the laws of common sense that it was just too unbelievable. Other scenes, if not unbelievable, were just too predictable. If the movie had decided to just be a movie about a successful woman's pre-midlife crisis based on false prophecy, and not a romantic comedy in "Deep Thoughts" clothing, it probably would have gone on to more accolades. Instead, it's just marginally good. I can't give it a stronger recommendation than that.

It is not top notch but this film should definitely be given more credit. it tries to remind us, yes, yet again (but I think no matter how many reminders we get, we still don't get it,) that we should live our life as if each day was our last because one of them will eventually be the last nd also that we should hurry to say our dear ones that we love them indeed. Lanie is a woman representing the typical ugly duckling insecure type turned into a beautiful career shark. She lives with the illusion of a perfect life, with a seemingly perfect career and a perfect boyfriend until the prophet foretells her imminent death. she sets about to change the texture of her life, discovering how empty her life really was and rediscovering her true self, dropping the quest for self-approval which dominated her whole life.The actors did a great job. I didn't see Angelina Jolie in such a role before but I must say she handled it with talent. Her acting very much added to the emotional part of the story. Ed Burns did a nice job too, although I had the impression that by the time the movie ending he got slightly weary. also, the music choice was really great.Overall, the story balances between humour and drama, and while it does have its dose of typical elements, it presents the events technically very nicely. There is a sense of completeness to this thoughtful story. Plus it carries a meaning which cannot be stressed enough. Does your life have meaning?A very good job indeed!

I don't understand why some people trash this movie so viciously. It really isn't much different from all the other romantic comedies that come out. I enjoy the main actors - Jolie, Burns, and Shaloub - and each does a fine job with the roles they play.In the flashback intro we see that Lanie (Angelina Jolie) was a cute little girl but with thick frame glasses so the boys tended to ignore her. So she focused her energy into an ambition to rise to the top in broadcasting. She is one of several candidates for a NYC job, and a chance to move out of small-time Seattle TV.She is required to work with cameraman Pete (Ed Burns), an old boyfriend who still shows an interest. Together they encounter Prophet Jack (Tony Shaloub) who stands on a plastic milk crate on the busy sidewalk and makes proclamations. That day he predicted the score of a game, that it would hail the next morning, and that Lanie would die in 7 days.Lanie is shocked when the first prediction comes true, then further afraid when it is hailing the next morning. Not wanting the death prediction to come true, she tries hard to prove that not all Prophet Jack's predictions come true. But he says they do, he just hears the message and repeats it.MAJOR SPOILERS FOLLOW. Lanie and Pete get close again, then he is devastated when she is picked for the NYC job and she just plans to leave him in Seattle. While there, and doing a very successful interview with popular journalist Deborah Connors (Stockard Channing), she comes to realize the folly of her selfish dream, and a little bit of her dies that day, 7 days after the prediction. So, while she didn't physically die, the ugly part of her died.

Ignore all the bad reviews about this film because in my opinion it was really good! A sweet, easy to follow story, very enjoyable if you just want to sit and watch a film where you don't have to burst your brains trying to work out what the hell is going on. This film is simple but effective. Angie is brilliant as usual and puts on a convincing performance, although this character is different to those she has played in the past I think she pulls the 'blonde' reporter off very well. It is interesting to a person, as you see Lainy(Jolie), go through a dramatic change of life. This film may not be your complicated arty farty 'Lord of the Rings' type film, but I give it full marks!