A Beautiful Life Parent Guide

Elliott Winther (Christopher) is a Danish fisherman with a side gig as a guitar player for his friend, Oliver (Sebastian Jessen), who is chasing a singing career. Oliver is thrilled when he gets the chance to play at a nightclub but freezes in front of the mic. Elliott picks up the vocals – and attracts the attention of the very woman Oliver was trying to impress.

Suzanne is the widow of a famous musician, and she offers Elliott the chance at a recording career. Not only does Suzanne want to launch a star; she wants her estranged daughter Lilly to produce the new album, in the hopes of rebuilding their relationship. Lilly begrudgingly agrees and Elliott soon finds himself composing and recording music – and falling for Lilly.

Elliott’s first song is a global hit, but his life feels out of tune. Oliver returns in a storm of chaos and bitterness, Lilly turns his life upside down, and then tragedy strikes. Elliott feels lost and isn’t sure he can keep moving forward without figuring out who he’s singing for.

North American audiences won’t be familiar with the lead actor, but Christopher Lund Nissen is a famous singer in Denmark, where he’s known simply as “Christopher”. This is a good film role for the artist, who emotes believably on screen and belts out the songs. Don’t get me wrong – this isn’t groundbreaking music by any means, but if you like Ed Sheeran and singers of that ilk, this soundtrack is for you.

The story doesn’t stand out either. There are romantic interludes, yearning glances, swoony moments and some fairly soap opera-ish plot elements. But let’s be honest: people don’t watch romance movies for the plot. The lead actor is good-looking (and his chiseled abs get plenty of screen time) and the key relationship has plenty of chemistry. Most genre fans aren’t going to complain about the tropes on display here.

Where this film hits a sour note is in its language. The script contains over 100 swear words, including almost four dozen sexual expletives. Netflix has rated this movie as TV-MA but if it were in theaters, it couldn’t escape a Restricted rating. Other negative content is consistently in the PG-13 level with minor on-screen violence, implied sex, some kissing, and a few scenes of alcohol consumption.

A Beautiful Life falls flat in several spots, but the script tries to deliver messages about responsibility, honesty, forgiveness, family ties, and building relationships. As Elliott navigates his bewildering new world of celebrity, he has to decide what really matters – and that decision is something worth singing about.