Is There Life Out There? is a 1994 American television film starring Reba McEntire. It is based on McEntire's 1992 song of the same name.

Plot

Lily Marshall (McEntire) has a loving, supportive husband, two great kids and an unfulfilled dream: to return to college and get the degree she always wanted. Lily wonders if there is life beyond her family and home. The hole in Lily's life is soon filled by too much. There's a confusing new social life on campus, schoolwork keeping her up late, a part-time job keeping her from her husband and kids whose mom is turning into a stranger. Lily's strength, love and perseverance are the only things that can help her now.

Production

As the music video for Is There Life Out There was essentially a short film, McEntire was approached by CBS about expanding it into a movie. As the song had already inspired so many women to continue their education, McEntire says she "jumped at the offer." The film was shot on location in Nashville.

Critical Reception

Reviews for the film were mostly positive. In his review for Variety, Roy Loynd singled out Dalene Young's screenplay, saying it "ripples with surprises, constantly mining ore out of what at first appears to be mundane, familiar situations." TV Guide was also positive in its review. They praised Keith Carradine's performance as McEntire's husband, saying he could "rank with Henry Fonda and James Stewart as the personification of common, unpretentious American decency."

Release

The film originally aired on CBS on October 9, 1994. It was subsequently released on DVD on July 5, 2005. It is currently available to watch for free on the official Chicken Soup for the Soul YouTube channel.