Angelina Jolie’sLife or Something Like Itis perfect for those looking to get a feel-good rom-com that dares to do things differently. The 2002 film may have flopped at the box office and taken some heat from critics, but it’s finally getting the love it deserves, now trending at #1 on Netflix. One of Jolie’s rare rom-com roles, the movie is perfect for fans of2005’sJust Like Heaven,Sweet Home Alabama, or Julia Roberts’Runaway Bride. It’s a slow-burn enemies-to-lovers with charm, heart, and a little more depth than your typical love story.
AlthoughAngelina Jolie’s best performancesgenerally belong to her intense dramas and action-packed roles in films likeChangeling,Salt,Gia, andGirl, Interrupted, her filmography includes several underrated gems that often get overlooked. With her recent comeback and critical praise for portrayingMaria Callas in Pablo Larraín’s movie, now is the perfect time to revisit some of her earlier work that shows off her impressive range. One standout isLife or Something Like It— a charming rom-com that deserves more lovethan its original reception suggests.
Angelina Jolie’s Life Or Something Like It Is An Underrated Early 2000s Rom-Com
A Unique & Reflective Enemies To Lovers Story
Starring a young Jolie alongsideEdward Burns (Millers in Marriage)and Christian Kane,Life or Something Like Itis heartwarming, sincere, and unapologetically an old soul of the 80s. The film follows Lanie Kerrigan, a Seattle feature reporter who seems to have it all — the perfect fiancé and a shot at a major job in New York. Whena street psychic tells her she only has a week to live— and his other predictions start coming true — Lanie begins questioning her entire life. Along the way, she reconnects with her grumpy cameraman, who turns out to be more than she expected.
While therom-com’s enemies-to-lovers premiseisn’t new,its take on it feels refreshingly original.Life or Something Like Itoffers a thoughtful, honest look at the crossroads between career, love, and life goals, especially when those paths don’t quite match someone else’s. It doesn’t spiral into negativity, though. Instead, it carries a quiet warmth, like a heart-to-heart with a friend on a Sunday morning. At its core, it’s a gentle reminder that even if your job, city, or relationship doesn’t look like the dream you imagined, you can still find something beautiful if you’re open to it.
Angelina Jolie Didn’t Deserve A Razzy Nomination For Life Or Something Like It
Jolie’s Performance Has Been Praised By Audiences, But She Was A Razzie Favorite
While Angelina Jolie is not your typical bubbly rom-com protagonist, she surely didn’t deserve a nomination at the parody award show. If anything, her performance as Lanie is even more impressive given her background in raw, dramatic roles. She’s not overly perky, butJolie brings a unique charm and an offbeat, slightly chaotic energythat fits someone who’s just been told they have a week to live. Her quieter, emotional moments with Pete are especially touching, not to mention the unforgettable scene where she gets a crowd of striking workers to sing “(I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction.”
Life or Something Like It(2002)
Taking Lives(2004)
Illeana
It’s worth noting that Jolie was a bit of an easy target during the early days of thecontroversial Razzie Awards. She went on to be nominated for “Worst Razzie Loser of Our First 25 Years,” with seven nods in total. That history might explain her nomination forLife or Something Like It,even thoughthe film’s shortcomings weren’t due to her acting. Critics may have simply been unreceptive to seeing Jolie outside her usual dramatic or action-heavy roles, which could be part of why she didn’t revisit the rom-com genre.
Why Angelina Jolie Hasn’t Starred In A Proper Romantic Comedy Since Life Or Something Like It
Angelina Jolie Suited Darker Roles Better At The Time, And Critics Thought So Too
By the timeLife or Something Like Itcame around,the actress had already dipped her toes into the rom-com genre withLove Is All There IsandPlaying by Heart. While both underperformed at the box office,Playing by Heartreceived solid praise from critics and still holds a 61% score on Rotten Tomatoes. It’s also worth saying thatAngelina Jolie’s best 90’s movieshad already begun cementing her reputation as a powerhouse actress, winning a Golden Globe forGia, and both the Oscar and Critics' Choice Award forGirl, Interrupted.
While it’s not unusual that acclaimed performers get a poorly-received movie,Life or Something Like Itstands out in the actress' career since she never returned to romantic comedies. Though she hasn’t publicly reflected on Stephen Herek’s film, she once said ofPlaying by Heartthat she “wanted to play and wanted to be free.” Part of whyshe may have stepped away from the genre likely ties to her relating more with emotionally intense roles. As she toldVanity Fair, “For better or for worse, I’m a very deeply feeling person and kind of a raw nerve.”
It’s no surprise that Jolie found greater success in a different arena. AfterLife Or Something Like It, she continued specializing in criminal dramas, thrillers, and action movies. The closest she’s come to a rom-com isMr. & Mrs. Smith. Recently, she’s gravitated toward lighter roles, perhaps reflecting her shift in priorities. Notably,Jolie commented on why she accepts fewer movies, admitting she entered the industry to “help [her] mom pay bills,” which pushed her to situations “where[she] felt very, very far away from being comfortable.”
