“Babel” DVD Review
In Babel, a tragic incident involving an American couple in Morocco sparks a chain of events for four families in different countries throughout the world. Tied by circumstance but separated by continent, culture and language, each character discovers that it is family that ultimately provides solace.
A fascinating film somewhat in the same vein as last year’s Crash, but a bit more ambitious. Instead of taking place in one city, the movie travels the globe, with each story interconnecting. It’s fascinating to watch the web of stories untangle as the movie progresses, concluding in a satisfying and heartwarming finale scene. The vulnerability in the finale scene is tragic (which could even make some viewers uncomfortable, but how the movie is resolved gives a ring of hope. Maybe I’m a sucker for this type of stuff, but the movie, almost 2 ½ hours, is worth the journey. The movie unfolds slowly, but how it builds to the end is marvelous. Some viewers may get turned off by how the movie jumps back and forth, but it adds resonance to earlier scenes as the timeline comes together.
A fascinating film somewhat in the same vein as last year’s Crash, but a bit more ambitious. Instead of taking place in one city, the movie travels the globe, with each story interconnecting. It’s fascinating to watch the web of stories untangle as the movie progresses, concluding in a satisfying and heartwarming finale scene. The vulnerability in the finale scene is tragic (which could even make some viewers uncomfortable, but how the movie is resolved gives a ring of hope. Maybe I’m a sucker for this type of stuff, but the movie, almost 2 ½ hours, is worth the journey. The movie unfolds slowly, but how it builds to the end is marvelous. Some viewers may get turned off by how the movie jumps back and forth, but it adds resonance to earlier scenes as the timeline comes together.
While many may be familiar with the movie, the official synopsis does a good job at explaining the events of the movie, as you’ll see by the following information. Thankfully, the emotional impact is not lessened by any information provided, nor any dramatic plot points.
In the remote sands of the Moroccan desert, a rifle shot rings out – detonating a chain of events that will link an American tourist couple’s frantic struggle to survive, two Moroccan boys involved in an accidental crime, a nanny illegally crossing into Mexico with two American children and a deaf Japanese teen rebel whose father is sought by the police in Tokyo. Separated by clashing cultures and sprawling distances, each of these four disparate groups of people are nevertheless hurtling towards a shared destiny of isolation and grief. In the course of just a few days, they will each face the dizzying sensation of becoming profoundly lost – lost in the desert, lost to the world, lost to themselves — as they are pushed to the farthest edges of confusion and fear as well as to the very depths of connection and love.
And folks? The movie is good. Really good. Everything that unfolds is believable, with stellar acting throughout. Be it the amazing turn by the actress portraying the Japanese deaf girl or desperation of the American husband, it’s all top-notch. It’s a solid ensemble of actors and, once the movie starts, you’re hooked into their story. As the official synopsis goes, Brad Pitt, Cate Blanchett, Gael Garcia Bernal, Koji Yakusho, Adriana Barraza and Rinko Kikuchi lead an international ensemble of actors and non-professional actors from Morocco, Tijuana and Tokyo, who enrich Babel‘s take on cultural diversity and enhance its powerful remarks on cultural links and frontiers. And that’s true. The movie lives up to the hype as both a marvelous film and a much needed look at our current culture.
The movie offers a great take on how divided our worlds in through our own boundaries, be it physical or of language. Director Alejandro González Iñárritu does a fascinating job at exploring the barriers that separate humanity. As we watch Brad Pitt struggling to find just a doctor, we feel for him. An vacation to be alone, to work out their marriage, takes a horrifying turn and he’s stranded, alone. The desperation of the situation and the emotions that come out through both Pitt and Blanchett is amazing. The story of Japanese deaf girl is heart-breaking, watching her as she tries to find that intimacy she so desperately craves. In the movie we see the implications of this divided globe, the mistaken identities, misunderstandings and missed chances for communication that, though often unseen, drive our contemporary lives. Even watching the movie, we’re forced to watch subtitles through most of it due to even our own barriers. I can only imagine a challenge it was to make this movie.
It’s simply a splendid movie that’s worth picking up. But, is the DVD any good, too? Yes and no. Paramount provided me with the standard edition of Babel to review, containing just the movie’s trailer and a few sneak peeks. If you’re interested in only the movie, pick up this version. The audio/video is absolutely solid. Whether it’s the big city of Tokyo or the vast Moroccan desert, each scene sounds perfect, with the audio adjustments made to put us there. Personally, I believe the movie stands enough on it’s own to actually warrant a bare bones release, but bonus content, specifically content that explores the themes found within, is always welcome. Hopefully the special edition will be uncovered soon.
Overall, the movie comes Highly Recommended. If you want to see just the film, pick-up the single disc edition. However, if you want extras, go for the two-disc release. I guarantee you will not be disappointed by one of the best film’s of the year. It’s thought-provoking, captivating, home-hitting and just harrowing to watch. Babel will hit shelves February 20th, 2007.
Originally posted on DVD Discussion forum in February of 2007