The plain premise packs plentiful possibilities for a potent production. The dynamics driving drift twixt derelict dudes can drudge up difficult drama; a lot of solid films have been made out of strictly centering a few characters in this way. The possible sticking point here is that the four sole figures before us aren't just common, they're obnoxious: beer-swilling, sport-loving, manly men who are 30 going on 13. Nearly half the runtime here is three of four of these characters joshing one another, and illustrating to viewers how we cannot relate to them and would not want to. Whatever meager conflicts or character ideas we get for 30 full minutes aren't nearly enough to capture the imagination, and I'll be honest, I was less than sure about what I'd committed to. Why, the first half makes me wonder if Saul Rubinek, Gary Busey, or Nick Mancuso were even acting. While the first portion does provide background to underscore the turmoil to come, it's not the best start - half a lifetime, indeed.
As fourth character JJ (Keith Carradine) enters the picture, the tone of the movie changes drastically. The sudden infusion of cutting dialogue and biting drama into the feature is so effusive that it kind of feels out of place for the fact of the discrepancy. Still, the friendly gathering does rather explode as ideas are introduced and tensions boil over. Pointed commentary greets our ears on the desolation of our capitalist hellscape, taking all and giving nothing, and it feels like the cast's acting skills have finally been engaged. Themes present of the desperation and despair of the working class, and it's hard not to feel especially glum at the recognition of how very real the notions are.
Unfortunately, that second half - which already seems slightly off-kilter by comparison to the preceding length - also comes and goes very, very quickly. So quickly that, even being aware that the feature clocks in at under one hour, the ending seems to arrive so abruptly that it's like the bristling energy that had suddenly escalated just as suddenly dropped off the side of a cliff. I think the scenario is ripe for character-driven drama, but its realization in this TV movie is flagging. 'Half a lifetime' is a weirdly meta title, as it feels like we've gotten no more than half a film; if the concept were teased out for even another 10-15 minutes it would feel more complete.
Oh well. There are worse things one could watch, certainly. All I can say is that I had fairly high expectations when I sat for this, and I was let down by the end result. I suppose 'Half a lifetime' is a passable use of one hour if you come across it, but first ask yourself what you may want to watch more.
