Cheers to Life Review: In this Netflix romance film, a pendant from the past sets Jessica on a trip through Israel. There, she experiences family dynamics, unexpected love, and a quest for life’s meaning comes her way.
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Cheers to Life Netflix Cast
Thati Lopes, Regina Braga, Jonas Bloch, Rodrigo Simas, Diego Martins, Daniel Filho, Aline Dias, Clara Tiezzi, Luísa Thiré
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Cheers to Life Netflix Movie Director
Cris D’Amato
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AKA
Viva a Vida
The slice-of-life romance film has a runtime of 99 minutes.
Cheers to Life Review
The movie depicts the story of a young woman, Jessica, who has always felt lonely because she truly believed that she was the only one alive in her family. However, when one day she gets to know that there might be more surviving members in her family, she decides to seek them out. She finds out that she has living grandparents in Tel Aviv and plans to go on a journey to get more clarity about her own self. But it’s not just the familial bond that Jessica is interested in. She also knows that the inheritance the old couple has will go directly to her, and that is something that she cannot afford to lose.
Though the movie starts off as Jessica’s quest to search for her family, where she must connect to her roots, the tone of the film remains light-hearted and comical. Just like the film’s title, Jessica embraces every moment with a carefree spirit, rarely dwelling on the consequences of her journey. However, this playful approach also makes some of her decisions feel oddly unrealistic, especially given the seriousness of her situation.
But the comedy does work, and some of the situations the characters encounter will make you laugh. Interestingly, the strength of this film lies in its beautiful cinematography, which showcases the locations really nicely. Beyond the humour, there is also a touching undertone as Jessica reconnects with a culture she had long been distant from, ultimately finding a renewed sense of identity. The cultural elements are portrayed with a charm that keeps things interesting. I also specifically must mention the really beautiful music that complements the scenes very well.
Jessica’s journey as a whole is addictive, and it forces us to think about the freedom that we ourselves are missing out on. Her travels with Ben and Gabriel open her eyes to new perspectives, pushing her to experience life in ways she never has before. One of the most touching elements of the film is Jessica’s bond with Ben, which is reminiscent of our own relationships with grandparents. So even though her quest starts on a materialistic note, it ends up becoming one of the most meaningful things in her life.
The romance aspect of this film starts awkwardly, which I will not spoil. But, thankfully, that aspect gets cleared out towards the middle and you can appreciate the blooming romance a lot more comfortably from then on. One of the most hilarious aspects was that whenever Jessica and Gabriel would try to hook up, they would get interrupted somehow or the other. However, their relationship also features several heartfelt moments that make you genuinely root for them.
Verdict
This is not a film that aims to impress with complex plot twists or intricate storytelling. Instead, it offers a heartfelt, soul-searching adventure that will remind you just how much there is to explore for us. Cheers to Life is definitely a simple yet entertaining feel-good film that will leave you with a smile in the end.
So yes, I would recommend watching this if you’re also looking to witness the simple yet profound beauty of life.
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