<P> A year later , Mitch 's wounds still cause him constant pain . Einar cares for Mitch daily , giving him morphine injections , food and friendship . He leans his guilt on emotional crutches , while Mitch struggles to walk with real crutches . The bear is later seen foraging for food in town . Sheriff Crane Curtis ( Josh Lucas ) captures the bear and the bear ends up in the town zoo . About the same time , Einar 's long - lost daughter - in - law Jean ( Jennifer Lopez ) shows up on his doorstep ; she is trying to escape from an abusive relationship . </P>
<P> A year later , Mitch 's wounds still cause him constant pain . Einar cares for Mitch daily , giving him morphine injections , food and friendship . He leans his guilt on emotional crutches , while Mitch struggles to walk with real crutches . The bear is later seen foraging for food in town . Sheriff Crane Curtis ( Josh Lucas ) captures the bear and the bear ends up in the town zoo . About the same time , Einar 's long - lost daughter - in - law Jean ( Jennifer Lopez ) shows up on his doorstep ; she is trying to escape from an abusive relationship . </P>
who plays the sheriff in an unfinished life
who plays the sheriff in an unfinished life
Josh Lucas
Josh Lucas