peeker
TracyBABEL - FILMPEEKER'S REVIEW
December 18th 2006 00:16
When I was about to watch "Babel" this is what I knew:
"The greatest movie EVER!"
"This is simply a masterpiece, everything a perfect movie can be."
"I will probably love this!"
Guess which one of those was said by me.
Anyhow, the thing is that my expectations were high, partly because of the above quotes (that really aren't quotes but what I think others said) and also because of Guillermo Arriaga's previous movies, like "Amores perros" and "21 Grams". "Babel" is the third in the multiple storyline series.
And I would say the best... so far. I thought "Amores perros" was the greatest of its time, released year 2000, plenty before the very well known "Crash" with the same structure.
"21 Grams" wasn't very "wow" according to me, but still better than most.
"Babel" is, believe it or not, both the greatest of its time AND better than most.
First of all the acting. Splendidly done by every single performer, including Brad Pitt, Cate Blanchett and some unknown but still very good others. I believed them and felt what they felt. If Cate was in pain, I was in pain. If Brad cried, I cried. If Japanese Girl was deaf, I was deaf. Not really, but you get the point.
"Babel " is about four stories that all are connected in weird ways. It all starts from some boys playing around and accidentally shoot an American tourist, how it affected the people and with what problems they have to struggle with. Anything more than that would probably be considered as spoiler, so I'm not going into it.
Why "Babel"? Well as I'm sure you know, Babel was a tower that humans decided to build in order to reach heaven and God. God thought that was arrogant and got mad, making everybody speak different languages, the start of our multilingual situation today. "Babel" is mainly about how communication is important and how fatal it can be when there isn't any.
Okay, something negative, let's see... Oh, too long scenes. I usually like long scenes but this was too much. Also, some parts felt stupid and unnecessary, but there aren't a lot of those. One more, the music (or sound) made me want to kill someone.
All in all though, a great movie, not recommended for the young ones due to the nudity in it. Not sexual nudity but still... I know, I'm a good boy. Makes you think further than what you'll eat today and how lucky we are to live in these free and pretty rich (compared) circumstances.
//filmpeeker
(vote if you will or have seen "Babel")
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Comment by Cibbuano
20/20 Filmsight
Science News
Hunt Famous
Orble Post of the Day
Fat Cult
Techbreak
however, lacklustre trailers leading to great movies have been common in 2006... I'll keep an eye out for Babel!
Comment by JohnDoe
Film & TV on DVD
Im not big on Cate Blanchett and though Brad is good in the right roles looked out of his depth with the material here.
I hope Im wrong and look forward to being pleasantly surprised on DVD.
Comment by Filmpeeker
Film Peek
Gizmo Peek
Film Peek Forum
I agree, the trailer didn't show anthing attractive and I think it's the reason many won't see it in the cinemas. Look out for Babel though, cause it's definitely worth a watch.
Ol' dude JohnDoe,
Brad is splendid and Cate is one of my favorites, so I have to disagree with you on that. Anyhow, DVD is just as good since there isn't a lot of extra feeling you get in the theatres anyway.
Have a good one both of ya!
Comment by Riff Raff
Learning To Drive
Writer's Block
having said that, i wouldn't say it was an enjoyable film. for me it was emotionally draining. i didn't know much about the plot line at all before seeing it, which left me open to it's peaks and troughs.
the performances were fantastic, most notably from the jordanian actors. what about the old lady in the village where cate's character recuperated? the weathered lines on her face - incredible. and the scene in the japanese nightclub when the sound dropped out for the deaf girl's pov - also incredible. i could go on...
but whatever expectations i might of had, i never expected it to be that draining.
Comment by Lilla
Enviro Warrior
An Extra Ordinary Life
Dream Herald
*Babel" is, believe it or not, both the greatest of its time AND better than most.
I really enjoyed this film too, both for what it portrayed symbolically and how it was cleverly seen from the view of an inanimate object itself ..
Certainly one I'll re-watch in months to come.
Lilla ...
Comment by Tracy
Movies and Life
Unfortunately I wasn't a huge fan of Babel. I thought it had some great bits and definitely a unique style with some excellent acting, but it just didn't peak for me. It felt like an ambitious film that seemed to take on more than it could convey.
I appreciated and admired the director’s aims and messages, but I thought its interwoven parts didn't quite work as well. It isn’t a perfect film but it is deeply affecting. It is brave enough to delve deep into the human condition and find it wanting. It challenges our conception of self and the world we live in, an action I find commendable and worthwhile.
Bye and nice to see you,
Tracy