Life (2007)

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Season 1
  • Network: NBC
  • Series Premiere Date: Sep 26, 2007
Season #: 2, 1
Metascore
64

Generally favorable reviews - based on 21 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 13 out of 21
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 21
  3. Negative: 4 out of 21
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Critic Reviews

  1. Entertainment Weekly
    Reviewed by: Ken Tucker
    83
    Life is intelligent fun.
  2. Variety
    Reviewed by: Laura Fries
    80
    Crews quirky mannerisms don't overwhelm the plot, and the show does strikes a nice balance between whimsy and its much darker backstory.
  3. The Hollywood Reporter
    Reviewed by: Barry Garron
    80
    It's an entirely different vibe, further enhanced by a charismatic and quirky central character who is both unpredictable and impossible to pigeonhole. Given a chance to develop, Detective Charlie Crews could someday take a place with the likes of Kojak, Columbo and Monk.
  5. Los Angeles Times
    Reviewed by: Mary McNamara
    80
    Playing it long and lugubrious but with a tantalizing twinkle, Lewis (last seen in the States as the hateful husband in "The Forsyte Saga") may well wrest the mantle of sexiest troubled American played by a Brit away from Hugh Laurie.
  6. The New York Times
    Reviewed by: Ginia Bellafante
    80
    The narrative structure of the show is incredibly satisfying: During each hour a crime is committed and solved, as Charlie’s search for who might have framed him provides the overriding arch, satisfying our short attention spans and taste for long-form narrative at once.
  7. Boston Globe
    Reviewed by: Matthew Gilbert
    80
    The actor [Lewis], who uses a flawless American accent, makes Life worth a gander. And he is surrounded by a distinctive cast.
  8. Miami Herald
    Reviewed by: Glenn Garvin
    80
    This peculiar comedy-drama has some cockeyed wrinkles that make it interesting.
  9. Wall Street Journal
    Reviewed by: Nancy DeWolf Smith
    80
    Of all the new shows I've watched, it's also the one I'm most eager to see again.
  10. Detroit Free Press
    Reviewed by: Mike Duffy
    75
    Lewis is terrific. But his brazenly loopy lawman may not be to everyone's offbeat crime drama tastes.
  11. New York Daily News
    Reviewed by: David Hinckley
    75
    Life doesn't squander the talents of its cast. The mysteries are solid, the characters multilayered, and Crews is given a bigger mystery about which to obsess--finding out who framed him.
  12. Newsday
    Reviewed by: Tom Jicha
    70
    Lewis is such a commanding presence that Sarah Shahi is rendered little more than an accessory as Dani. There's nothing going on between the partners at the outset, but this is subject to change.
  13. PopMatters
    Reviewed by: Cynthia Fuchs
    70
    Details of color and composition do the work usually handled by too much expository dialogue, granting access to Dani and Charlie’s thinking.
  14. New York Magazine (Vulture)
    Reviewed by: John Leonard
    70
    Just as we begin to wonder whether Life is intended to be, um, wacky, it takes a darker turn.

Awards & Rankings

48
#48 Best TV Season of 2007
7
#7 Most Discussed TV Season of 2007
26
#26 Most Shared TV Season of 2007

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
7.9

Generally favorable reviews- based on 253 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 206 out of 253
  2. Mixed: 6 out of 253
  3. Negative: 41 out of 253
  1. bob516
    Dec 21, 2013
    10
    Zen philosophy in a prime-time network show, what a great concept. The police procedural simply serves as the framework to explore DamianZen philosophy in a prime-time network show, what a great concept. The police procedural simply serves as the framework to explore Damian Lewis' character, and how he deals with the world. Lewis and Shahi play their parts so well, and with the sharply written dialogue, it is a pleasure to watch and listen to.… Full Review »
  2. sjeppell
    Mar 13, 2013
    10
    The writing is great, the pacing is great, the character development is fantastic, the camera work is engaging. This is a thoroughlyThe writing is great, the pacing is great, the character development is fantastic, the camera work is engaging. This is a thoroughly entertaining show. As I came upon the last episode, I worried that it would end in medias res. But in fact, they wrap the whole thing up beautifully and you are left with a satisfied sense of having read through a long and wonderful novel.… Full Review »
  3. blendurr95
    Jan 2, 2012
    10
    Fantastic show! Contains just the right amount of drama, hilarity, and everything in between. The characters are pretty much all fantastic asFantastic show! Contains just the right amount of drama, hilarity, and everything in between. The characters are pretty much all fantastic as well. I'd highly recommend it.… Full Review »
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