The article revisits Roger Ebert’s strong dislike of *Life or Something Like It*, the 2002 Angelina Jolie film he reportedly singled out for especially harsh criticism. It frames the film as a notable misfire in Jolie’s career, showing how even a major star vehicle could be undone by weak writing and an unconvincing story. The piece matters mainly as a look at how influential critics such as Ebert could shape the reputation of a film long after its release.

The film starred Jolie as a successful TV reporter whose life is thrown off course after a prediction that she will soon die, pushing her into a romantic and personal re-evaluation. The article places Ebert’s criticism alongside the film’s wider poor reception: it was released in 2002, drew largely negative reviews, and underperformed commercially. For context, the film reportedly grossed about $16.9 million against a $40 million budget, and it has since remained one of the less well-regarded titles in Jolie’s catalogue.