Great Film: 21 Grams
Esotercat's Riveting Review of "21 Grams"
Some movies are like a novel. Some movies are like a poem. Some films
have
flashbacks and flash-forwards. Some, like `Memento,' stretch the
boundaries
of convention and take wild risks such as moving the drama from the end
to
the beginning. `21Grams' is a cinematic poetic explosion, shaking all
the
pieces hard as hell, and then tossing them in the air to fall at random.
Directed by Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu, he gives the audience the puzzle
unraveled, demanding that we piece together the story from interlaced
past,
present and future events. It is part flashy gimmick, part artistic
mastery, but always compelling.
This is not a film for either the faint of heart or lazy of mind. Nor is
it
for those who become frustrated by film that dares to step outside the
linear plot and paint-by-numbers formula. The mishmash of
past/present/future is allegorical in the sense that we all carry our
past,
all hinge our hearts on the future, and all struggle with a `present' as
dotty and haunted as this film so wildly illustrates.
In `21 Grams' it is required that the viewer surrender. As in life,
there
is no control. I must admit that I became a bit antsy and pressed for
answers when none were being provided. You are riveted by events and
players that intermingle in a haphazard mishmash of time with a
rebellious
lack of structure. You can either go with the flow-or back out to your
car.
Since I saw only one person exit the theater, for any reason, in the 125
minutes running time, I conclude that the fully occupied theater was as
riveted as I was, even to the point of extreme bladder control.
The performances are stunning. Sean Penn is always good, Benicio Del
Toro
solidifies his Oscar, and Naomi Watts is the big talent to watch. Her
emotional honesty is beyond acting-I believed her to feel the pain she
displayed.
The `plot' almost seems inconsequential. The film is about the depth of
human feeling in our brief interplay between living and dying. It's
about
damnation and redemption, revenge and forgiveness, surrender and
salvation.
It offers no explanations. It merely illustrates the human experience in
a
trenchant manner that makes us aware that every minute of every day is a
precarious drama that we look upon more lightly than we
should.
The dramatic cortex is the human heart-lost, gained, tormented, anguished
and confused. The metaphorical context is the fleeting nature of each
heart's temporal beat and our desperately valiant struggle to flesh out
our
mortal hearts' desires.
Cast
- Paul Rivers played by Sean Penn
- Cristina Peck played by Naomi Watts
- Michael played by Danny Huston
- Cathy played by Carly Nahon
- Laura played by Claire Pakis
- Jack Jordan played by Benicio Del Toro
- Boy played by Nick Nichols
