| Overall Grade: |
A- |
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| Story: |
A- |
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| Acting: |
A |
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| Direction: |
B+ |
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| Visuals: |
A- |
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Complex, compelling, thoughtful,emotional.Must see
by Brock (movies profile)
Jun 26, 2008
307
of
413 people found this review helpful
If Crash was a thoughtful,unflinching look at race relations,then Babel is about how different races misunderstand each other because of their uniqueness and the thousands of languages invented to confuse one another.And not letting them co-exist because they can never understand each other through their uniqueness.
It's a story about how one bullet sends a group of people of different backgrounds into chaos,misunderstanding,and despair.They all collide and their lives are shattered.Because they are unable to understand one another.An American couple is on a trip to Morocco as tourists traveling in a bus.And high on the hills,two boys are learning how to shoot.But one of them accidentally fires a round.Unbeknownst to them,the bullet hits one of the American couple sending her husband to chaos and tension and tragedy as time runs out while desperately trying to get her to a hospital.But he is unable to communicate and express his situation,he is hopeless in this situation.So finally he gets her to a nearby area for help.A Japanese girl is disconnected herself with life and her father is trying to connect with her,a maid is trying to make it to a wedding along with her hot headed Nephew but gets caught up in a tense situation.She is taking caring of the American couples children.The world spreads news that the shooting is a terrorist plot and takes serious actions towards it.
Totally remarkable film-making.It's incendiary.It mixes suspense,drama,thriller and deals with a universal issue so carefully, that a subject this sensitive seems easy to accept.It's another story told in the unique storytelling technique used by Inarritu in his previous films,which sometimes makes it hard to follow.It's as if you're trying to unjumble a puzzle and get the whole picture.It's groundbreaking but flawed.The film could've been told in a straightforward manner and still retained it's powerful impact.It's not a film like Memento,where once it's told in the forward moving time-line,it looses its uniqueness and becomes old fashioned.This is a striking and spot on drama,that transcends into being a taut thriller.It's powerful and told in an unconventional way.And I haven't seen this kind of thought-provoking drama in decades, about us and our differences.In another words,it makes Crash look ordinary.Crash was a misstep.It was totally undeserving of its Best Picture Award.Because Babel is what Crash wasn't and more.
It has nothing in common with Crash except the subject it deals with.So,forget about comparing the two films.Babel has a stronger focus on what it's trying to do.While Crash just plays around with it.And if the Academy Award committee gave that undeserving film the Best Picture award over Brokeback Mountain,then they ought to give this film that award as well.Otherwise it should be stripped off from its judgments and its voting system should be rebooted.Because seriously,they don't know how to be fair.
Inarritu makes each and every actor riveting and real.The characters ,and the actors who play the characters are absolutely convincing and get you the very first hour that you stay along with them and hope for the best.It's a gripping and provoking drama,thriller.It's a rare experience to have a film that deals with race relations and carves a thriller out of it and blends brilliantly.
Like Crash,you can't single out any part or any actor.It's an ensemble work,and it's best judged that way.However,I was really blown away by the Japanese segment, about the young teenager girl who is completely lost in a populated world.And her struggle to stay connected with her father really sends tears to your eyes.You can really feel her pain and loneliness.It's a powerful work.Rinko Kikuchi as Chieko is heartbreakingly sad.And I couldn't help but feel for the whole story.Apart from that Brad Pitt and Cate Blanchett's segment was equally striking.
There are flaws in every film,and there are imperfections in every groundbreaking and powerful film.And this film is no exception.I was annoyed by Inarritu's unnecessary storytelling technique as many are already familiar with it.And like many people who feel really uncomfortable following his way of film-making,I too was unsatisfied with it.It's a unique way to tell a story but it can't work every time on every film.However, that should not be the reason not to watch this film.Another flaw was that some of the situations weren't believable enough.And not every actor or story blends well together.And too many subtitles.
But, this is the true Oscar contender this year in my opinion.And my anticipation for Babel payed off as it is every bit as ingenious.Inarritu's craft is unique and absorbing.And Arriaga's script is tight and strong and has lots of surprises and emotions packed in.His characters are rich and real,and his collaboration with Inarritu has once again brought you a great piece of art.A true masterpiece of its own kind.A desperate look at humankind's biggest misstep of not being able to know what we are saying to each other.Not being able to accept each other because we're different.Not being able to see beyond our suspicions and judge.
The film is aided by terrific Cinematography.Giving the film a gritty look and dark atmosphere throughout.You feel the confusion and tension of the situations.The editing is crisp.Though,the film could've been slightly trimmed.While the score and sets are standout.The setting,especially in Japan, is brilliant.Japan is shown as a futuristic urban,pop-culture world.Its looks and feel is that of a dystopian future for the young teenager.and we feel it too.
A rare kind of masterpiece and a heartfelt drama of misunderstandings and confusion due to multiple languages.A drama,thriller about confusion and suspicion.It is amongst the most thoughtful and meaningful dramas..It is Inarritu's definite work,and all I can hope is that he and his team sweeps a lot of accolades next year.Because if it doesn't ,then I don't know what to say about the Academy Awards.This feel just exceeded my expectation.A must see for everyone who thinks he is different from one another. |
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