Life
2007
Original language: English
- drama
- mystery
- crime
The story
Complex, offbeat Detective Charlie Crews returns to the force after serving time in prison for a crime he didn't commit. Crews' new lease on life has provided him with a Zen-like outlook, peace of mind and no need for vengeance, an attitude which can be challenging to maintain when someone he cares about is threatened — or when he is investigating the mystery surrounding the murder he was falsely accused of.
What it’s like
Bright, sun-warmed Los Angeles streets and sharp, deliberate framing give this series a clean, slightly wry look, while the prison flashbacks sit in cooler, muted tones that set the calm protagonist apart from the city around him. The music leans playful and quirky, with light touches of percussion and offbeat cues that suit the detective's unusual habits. Its vibe is gently offbeat and contemplative, with an undercurrent of unease: a comfortable weekend watch that still keeps a murder-mystery hook running through each episode. Pacing is episodic and steady, with each case unspooling over an hour and the larger puzzle of the framed killing surfacing in measured doses. The emotional register stays measured and humane, following a wrongly imprisoned man learning to rebuild trust and patience as he returns to a world that has moved on without him. Violence is present through murders and some confrontations, but it is brief and procedural rather than gory, with threat and menace carrying more weight than onscreen brutality. It suits viewers who enjoy a detective drama with a thoughtful, unhurried lead and a steady, low-key sense of calm.
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