Tags
2000's, Adriana Barraza, Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu, Babel, Brad Pitt, Cate Blanchett, Drama, Gael García Bernal, Guillermo Arriaga, Rinko Kikuchi
Film Title
Babel
Director
Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu
Cast
- Brad Pitt as Richard Jones
- Cate Blanchett as Susan Jones
- Adriana Barraza as Amelia
- Gael García Bernal as Santiago
- Rinko Kikuchi as Chieko Wataya
- Koji Yakusho as Yasujiro Wataya
Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu’s ambitious and thought-provoking film spans three continents and many characters whose lives are linked by an accident. Although this may sound like a film that will confuse many, it actually emerges as a haunting comment on the lack of communication between humans and how universal the feeling is.
In Morocco, American tourists Richard and Susan are attempting to heal the wounds left by the death of their infant child. The loss has strained their relationship and affected both of them deeply. Whilst on a tour bus through the extensive mountains, Susan is accidentally shot by two young goatherds. The injured Susan is taken to a nearby village for treatment, whilst waiting for help to arrive from the American Embassy. Intercut with this is the two boy’s reactions to the accident and what they will do next. Meanwhile, the couple’s Mexican nanny Amelia, takes their children across the border to Mexico to attend her son’s wedding. Whilst coming back with her nephew Santiago, they are questioned by border control and flee into the arid desert. Amelia then tries to help the children make it back home before the desert claims them. Rounding out the stories is the one of Cheiko, a deaf-mute Japanese girl who is reeling from her mother’s recent suicide and has become cold towards her father because of this. In a way to mask her pain, she becomes sexually uninhibited but s
till can’t rid herself of the feeling of isolation. As told in Inarritu’s trademark non-linear narrative and written by Guillermo Arriaga , this sprawling character study is both melancholy and reflective in its examination of interlinked events.
The acting in Babel adds to the story immensely. As the tourists struck by sudden tragedy whilst dealing with conflicting emotions , Brad Pitt and Cate Blanchett turn in strong, emotional performances. Gael García Bernal is also on typically good form here, I can’t think of a time when he isn’t great. But the real highlights come from Adriana Barraza and Rinko Kikuchi. Barraza creates a strong, loving character who will do anything to protect the children she has been entrusted with. Her face when trying to look for help in the unforgiving desert runs the whole gamut of emotions. Kikuchi as the isolated, troubled and melancholy Chieko is outstanding, conveying the character’s pain and inner conflict with the tiniest of nuances. Her breakdown when she remembers her mother is heart-wrenching in its believability.
The camerawork featured throughout is stunning, capturing the difference in cultures and landscapes that separate the many characters making up the story. The sparse but evocative music further shows the theme of communication as it often plays over scenes of confusion between the characters.
A powerful and emotionally draining film that will not be for everyone , Babel is still a multi-stranded and powerfully acted study of personal confusion and conflict and the far-reaching effects of it.
Good review Vinnie. The stories work because each one features heartbeak, sadness, but also a slight feeling like there is happiness just around the corner. Then again, this is how real life is and I think that’s what the film was trying to at least get across, and did at well at doing so.
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Thanks for the comment, I agree with you about the feeling of happiness being round the corner.
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Excellent review here. I agree with everything you said, and am so glad you specifically pointed out Barraza and Kikuchi’s acting, the latter I felt gave one of the best performances of the 2000s. And yeah, Rodrigo Prieto was really on point here.
Certainly not a movie for everyone, but wow, what power.
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Thanks for your comment, yeah Kikuchi was absolutely amazing.
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Thanks for the review. This was one of those films I wanted to see but never got around to. Just curious, were there any connections to the biblical story of the tower of Babel?
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Thanks, I think there was the connection with the biblical story of people talking in other languages.
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Right, so just the general connection. I wondered if they would include anything specific from the story, like the scripture or something. Migh’ve made a good intro or something. Good review!
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Nice write-up. Such a sad movie, but it’s still excellent. You’re right, the actors are great.
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Thanks, yeah I really thought the actors gave it their all.
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Excellent review!!!! I must confess, this is one of those films that I still haven’t seen. I’m really intrigued now!
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Thanks, glad I’ve got you interested.
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It is a very powerful movie indeed. Nice review.
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Thanks for the comment, definately a powerful and thought-provoking watch.
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Great review, Vinnie. I’m a huge González Iñárritu fan and this is one of his finest. Loved Barraza and Pitt.
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Thanks for the comment.
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I wasn’t a big fan of this film when it came out, largely because I was pretty over the “here’s a bunch of stories that intersect in subtle ways” gimmick that was prevalent around the time. A couple of the stories really resonated – Cheiko’s in particular – but a number of others just fell flat for me (the Pitt/Blanchett storyline in particular) which meant, for me, that the film kept sapping its own momentum.
I should give it a try again, though. Perhaps these kind of films – save “Short Cuts” – just aren’t for me! Your review was certainly insightful enough to make me reconsider 🙂
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Thanks, glad I made you reconsider.
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I know a lot of people didn’t like this one, but when i saw it in the theater I was impressed. I loved the character studies.
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Thanks, it’s not a film for everyone but the character studies are great.
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Still need to see this trilogy. It sounds just like my type of film, but I’ve been unable to find the first one yet.
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Thanks, hope you enjoy it.
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Great write up. Inarritu is one of my favourite directors! I completely agree with you that Babel is a strong film with great performances and a powerful message. Have to say though that I prefer 21 Grams and Biutiful.
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Thanks for your comment, glad you enjoyed my review.
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Fine review again here Vinnie. I didn’t take to this one straight away but on a second viewing, it really hit the mark. Can we expect Amores Perros next of have you covered that already?
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Thanks for the comment man. I will try and watch Amores Perros ASAP.
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Hi I’ve nominated you for an award http://mykindofmovie.wordpress.com/2013/03/31/dragons-loyalty-award/
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Thanks for the nomination.
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Great review! I like this movie a lot, I don’t think it’s perfect but the acting, especially Rinko Kikuchi’s performance, was excellent.
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Thanks for the comment, yeah Kikuchi was definately an acting standout for me.
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I was impressed with Brad Pitt’s acting in this one. I liked how the harsh bright camera shots complimented the harshness of the setting. Nice post!
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Thanks, yeah Pitt was impressive in this one.
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Perfectly described the film, Vinnie. One of the most emotionally draining films I’ve ever seen. Terrific review!
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Thanks man, I was just emotionally after seeing this because of how powerful it is.
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This was a film I watched with some reservations. I didn’t expect to like it at all. The idea of the interconnecting stories had been pushed around a lot of lesser (and some better) films, and I thought it was a case of ‘seen it all before.’ I was pleasantly surprised though, and found myself drawn into it completely. As others have said, it benefits from more than one viewing. Good call, V.
Regards, Pete.
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I love being surprised by a movie, it’s a really great feeling. Totally get what you say about appreciating it more if you watch it a few times so you can see how everything links.
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I love your review! It’s hard for me to read about the movies that I haven’t seen…I like the suspense of the unfolding. Great review!
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Thank you for the praise, this was a powerful movie.
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One of my faves!
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Pingback: Protected: Babel – Chieko’s Journey: A Disabled Individual’s Analysis of Film’s Most Truthful Portrayal of the Disabled – Cineaste Corner
This has been sitting on my list in Netflix for forever. If its in Thai Netflix I’ll definitely watch it. Great review
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It’s definitely worth watching for how powerful it is.
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