Tags
2000's, 21 Grams, Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu, Benicio Del Toro, Charlotte Gainsbourg, Drama, Guillermo Arriaga, Melissa Leo, Naomi Watts, Sean Penn
Film Title
21 Grams
Director
Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu
Cast
- Sean Penn as Paul Rivers
- Naomi Watts as Cristina Peck
- Benicio Del Toro as Jack Jordan
- Charlotte Gainsbourg as Mary Rivers
- Melissa Leo as Marianne Jordan
The second film by Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu, 21 Grams is a vivid, visceral and fragmented view of lives intersecting after tragedy. Examining the lives and actions of three principal characters, the film becomes a visual jigsaw as the audience attempts to fathom what events will lead them to redemption and revenge.
The three principal characters in this fragmented narrative are Paul, a dying mathematician, Cristina a former drug addict who has cleaned up her ways and Jack, an ex-con turned devout christian. Their lives collide when Jack after drinking runs over and kills Cristina’s husband and two daughters. This leads Cristina back to her old ways to try to cope with unimaginable grief. Paul, is in need of a new heart and eventually receives the heart of Cristina’s late husband. As his marriage to his British wife Mary crumbles, Paul begins a relationship with the grieving Cristina who is out for revenge. All of these events transpire in non-linear order, giving the viewer an insight into the characters before and after the tragedy and the events that will transpire as a result of this one fateful incident.
Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu has fashioned an interesting film about redemption and retribution. The script by Guillermo Arriaga delves deep into the emotions of these emotionally wounded characters, revealing the inner turmoil and confusion each experiences throughout the narrative. Although at first the non-linear narrative may leave you bewildered, as the events continue to unravel we are given a bigger picture of what is happening as the pieces begin to form an inexplicable link to each other. This style is not for everyone, but it is certainly interesting to watch the past, present and future of each character’s life as they unfold like a coiled snake.
The acting of the leading trio is uniformly excellent. Sean Penn reveals a deep humanity within the character of Paul, who is just about holding on as the last flicker of light in his life begins to slip away. Naomi Watts puts in a powerful turn of sorrow, anger and heartbreak as her character tries to grieve and later get even with the cause of her pain. Benicio Del Toro is a menacing presence as the ex-con turned preacher who attempts to write his wrongs, but is ultimately unable to escape the guilt he has inflicted upon himself. Because of this powerful trio of portrayals, the secondary characters lack something and only contribute tiny things to the story. Charlotte Gainsbourg and Melissa Leo are talented actresses but are underused in this film. Regardless of this minor gripe, the film still remains an evocative look at damaged people trying to make good with their lives.
Evocative, thought-provoking and inventive, 21 Grams is a film that is once seen, never to be forgotten.
Mark Walker said:
Good review Vinnie. I really liked this but it’s a very grim film and one that hard to sit through repeat viewings.
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vinnieh said:
Thanks for the comment, I liked it as well but I agree with you abut the grim nature of the film.
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keith7198 said:
I liked 21 Grams but I haven’t seen it in a while. Mark summed up what I was thinking too. Grim film. Not one I care to watch often.
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vinnieh said:
Thanks for your comment man.
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filmhipster said:
You know, this is one of those movies that I still haven’t seen yet. I’m not sure why because I love the cast.
Excellent review, maybe I should give it a shot.
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vinnieh said:
Thanks, hope you manage to see it soon.
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Garrett said:
Haven’t seen this, but I’ve seen Inarritu’s Babel and thought it was really good.
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vinnieh said:
Thanks for the comment, I still need to see Babel and will hopefully see it soon.
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cindybruchman said:
I completely forgot about this film. I was so busy when it came out, I never got around to watching it. I bet the acting is great. Thanks for reminding me!
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vinnieh said:
Glad to be of service, hope you get to watch the film.
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Terry Malloy's Pigeon Coop said:
Nice review man. Tough watch this one. I did enjoy it though, just not in a huge rush to watch it again.
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vinnieh said:
Thanks for the comment, yeah parts of it are tough to watch.
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Mr Rumsey said:
I haven’t seen this one – seems that it’s worth a watch!
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vinnieh said:
Thanks for the comment, hope you get to see it. Let me know what you think when you’ve seen it.
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CMrok93 said:
A very, very dark and disturbing movie that didn’t need the format it was told in, but still did wonders with it being used. Del Toro and Watts were amazing, whereas Penn was just good. However, he’s not doing anything flashy and I think he likes it that way. Good review Vinnie
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vinnieh said:
Thanks for your comment, agree with you about the performances.
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fernandorafael said:
Great review. It’s been a while since I’ve seen this. Maybe I need to check it out again!
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vinnieh said:
Thanks for the comment.
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TBM said:
Haven’t heard of this one, but sounds like one I would like. I love character films.
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vinnieh said:
Thanks, hope you get to see it, it certainly involves you in the characters lives.
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Alex Withrow said:
Another solid review. I agree, once you’ve seen 21 Grams, it stays, no matter what. Watts’ performance is one of my Top 10 female performances of all time. Just… wow.
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vinnieh said:
Thanks, yeah Watts certainly delivers a memorable portrayal.
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jw9086 said:
21 Grams is one of my favorite films, incredible storytelling. You should also watch Inarritu’s film Amores Perros, similar type of story but more of a comment on Mexican society.
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vinnieh said:
Thanks for the comment, I will certianly give Amores Perros a watch.
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beetleypete said:
I liked it because it was grim. I preferred ‘Amores Perros’ for style, but this one was another of those films I didn’t expect to enjoy, then did!
Cheers, Pete.
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vinnieh said:
This was a really powerful movie I thought. I’ll be honest and say I still haven’t seen Amores Perros but I know I should.
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