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"Desperate
Moments... Desperate
Eyes." |
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Directed by Alejandro
González Iñárritu -
Written by Guillermo
Arriaga
Cast: Brad Pitt, Cate
Blanchett, Gael Garcia
Bernal, Rinko Kikuchi,
Elle Fanning
Distributed by Paramount
Vantage -
2006 - 143m - Rated R |
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Everything but the words... |
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“Babel” is a flawed,
but powerful gut punch to the soul. What occurs during the film’s two
and half hour running time (which absolutely flies by) is absolutely
riveting, heartbreaking and gut wrenching. When the screen goes black
and the credits begin, all you will feel is its power.
But…
Yes, “But,” the magical word that can change everything.
On the whole, “Babel” works magnificently. The direction is sturdy,
the script is excellent and the acting is impeccable. There are just a
few almost superficial bits and pieces here and there that keep this
from being a masterpiece and one of my top five films of the year.
The trailer is misleading. Brad Pitt does not star in this movie. No
one does. The film follows five connected storylines in different
parts of the world. Each story has to do with barriers, whether is be
by language or race. I talked to several people after the movie who
had not seen the trailer and were blown away by every plot point that
has been given away to those us who had, so I will not go into plot
details.
Pitt has never been better. For the first time, he actually looks his
age. His gray hair and worn face give him a lot more credibility and
you would be hard pressed to find anyone who still thinks he is a
pretty boy movie star after his work here. The real standout acting,
though, comes from the foreign actors. Few of these actors are readily
known outside of their country and many of them are not known at all.
Every person cast here is remarkable. The standout for me was
undoubtedly Rinko Kikuchi who deserves a starring role in something
else and Best Supporting Actress Oscar for her work here.
I actually feel bad noting my major criticism about the film because
screenwriter Guillermo Arriaga held a Q&A after the screening and came
off as a passionate, intelligent and soulful human being who was truly
proud of his work. The small bits that don’t work lie on his
shoulders.
Too many characters are underdeveloped and ultimately do irrational
things that would not have been irrational if they had motivation for
it. Several threads are left dangling at the end and not in an
open-ended way; they actually feel rushed and ignored.
Some of this may fall to director Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu, but
they feel like problems at the center of the stories.
Complaints aside, “Babel” is a great film that was entirely worth of
every minute of my time. The screenplay just needed one more draft. |
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© Written by Jacob Hall -
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TC Candler's Comment
An intense
cinematic experience from Iñárritu, who adds to
his fine résumé including "21 Grams" and "Amores
Perros". The ensemble cast is superb as
the story weaves between interconnected
characters. This film reminded me a great
deal of "Traffic" and "Syriana", two other films
that both made my year-end Top 10 Lists.
"Babel" is complex and thoughtful, making it a
must-see film for those weary of family fare and
special effects bonanzas. It deserves
award consideration and will probably contend
for spots in virtually every serious Top 10 List
of 2006.
Richard Propes' Comment
n/a
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