OlderBabel Review
Caught a screening of Babel last night. How did Brad Pitt measure up? Even ex Gwyneth Paltrow told NYDN that he’ll take home an Oscar: “It’s the best performance Brad’s ever given. [Babel] makes you want to take good care of your children.” Here’s how it went down…
3 different countries. 4 groups of people. Lives forever changed. A man in Morocco is sold a rifle that he gives to his two sons to protect their goats from jackals. While practicing their shooting, the younger son accidentally shoots an American woman, (Cate Blanchett) who is vacationing with her husband (Brad Pitt) aboard a tour bus. The movie establishes the characters that are further connected to the American couple, the children who are with their Mexican nanny back in the States and the original owner of the rifle, a Japanese businessman whose daughter is deaf-mute.
GALLERY :: Click here for HQ movie stills of Babel!
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In the course of a few difficult days, these people will find themselves lost but ultimately discover that their bonds with their families are what finally help them rediscover what they have lost. Although lengthier than most feature films, Babel is not a slow film, going back and forth between the characters, never leaving one hanging. Furthermore, director Alejandro González Iñárritu of 21 Grams, Amores Perros, is able to capture the true essence of these countries with a soundtrack that is a myriad of trans-continental compositions and the issues that people there deal with and how audience members can relate.
Caution: Not for the light-hearted. This film will touch upon issues that are very much alive in our society today. So if you liked Syriana and/or Crash, then chances are Babel is a must-see film for you.
Babel opens in theaters in NY/LA tomorrow, Oct. 27, and Nov. 10 everywhere else.
