21 Grams (2003)

21 GRAMS (2003)

A Film Review
Copyright Dragan Antulov 2004

We live in cynical and ultra-materialistic age. When the author of this review heard about the title of 21 GRAMS, 2003 drama directed by Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu, he thought of it as just another film dealing with realities of drug addiction in the modern world. The amount suggested in the film reminded me of "20 grams" - line that in some jurisdictions separates those who are guilty of mere narcotic possession and those who are guilty of narcotics trafficking. This film actually deals with some dark and depressing subject, but the title actually deals with the more precious yet invisible commodity.

Until this film Inarritu was best known for AMORRES PEROS, film nicknamed "Mexican PULP FICTION" because of the non-linear narrative structure made out of three stories about characters connected by random tragic accident. In this film, which was scripted by Inarritu's old collaborator Guillermo Ariaga, the accident again connects three major characters and their stories, but the non-linear narrative structure is brought to the extreme. Here the audience is forced not only to watch various stories and subplots out of chronological order, but the single scenes within those stories are also out of chronological order and it takes a while for the audience to understand whether something on the screen happens at the beginning, middle or the end of story. For that reason, 21 GRAMS has plot which is difficult to describe without giving too much away. The best way to do it is to concentrate on three major characters. Paul Rivers (played by Sean Penn) is mathematics professor troubled by bad health and rapid estrangement from his wife. Christina Peck (played by Naomi Watts) is former cocaine addict who became perfect suburban wife and mother after marriage to an architect. Jack Jordan (played by Benicio del Toro) is former convict who struggles to suppress his violent nature by living as a born-again Christian. Lives of those three people are going to converge and become permanently altered by a random and devastating accident.

21 GRAMS is difficult film to watch, and not only because of its depressive theme. Non-linear narrative structure is initially going to confuse even those viewers who are accustomed to unconventional film techniques. Even when audience finally begins to catch-up, this film would still require more attention and patience than usual, because only the tiniest and seemingly insignificant details - wardrobe, hairstyle, physical appearance of the characters - indicate to what segment of film's timeline each individual scene belongs. Noticing those details is even more difficult due to at times annoying hand-held cameras and Rodrigo Prieto's cinematography. Yet, despite all those challenges the audience is going to be eventually awarded for its patience. Endless flash-forwards and flash-backs gradually begin to paint coherent picture and in the end 21 GRAMS would leave viewers with strong emotional impact.

However, what really glues this film together is acting. Without really good, talented and brave cast 21 GRAMS could have easily ended as just another over-pretentious lartpourlartist exercise. Since this film depends on little details, and since every major character has to go through earth-shattering experiences and consequent changes, the roles in 21 GRAMS were more demanding and more difficult than usual. Three actors in main roles passed that test with flying colours. Sean Penn is excellent; his talent for playing tortured characters truly shines in portrayal of character who approaches life's difficulties burdened with analytical mind. Benicio del Toro is equally impressive in his moving portrayal of a character who is probably the most tortured of all three. Naomi Watts, who should probably get at least something during this year's film awards seasons for her effort in this film, is devastatingly effective while portraying woman who goes through whole variety of emotions, ranging from bliss to agony. The supporting cast, which features dependable character actors like Paul Calderon, Clea DuVall and Melissa Leo (of HOMICIDE: LIFE ON THE STREETS fame), is also wonderful.

Perhaps, just like with many otherwise perfect films, Gustavo Santaollala's over-repetitive and often annoying musical score would deprive 21 GRAMS of masterpiece status. Perhaps the unconventional storytelling deprived this film of truly overwhelming catharsis at the end. But 21 GRAMS nevertheless represents great films, at least for 2003 Hollywood standards, and for one simple reason - it has what the title refers to and what its characters are searching for. It has soul.

RATING: 8/10 (+++)

Review written on January 9th 2004

Dragan Antulov a.k.a. Drax http://film.purger.com - Filmske recenzije na hrvatskom/Movie Reviews in Croatian http://www.ofcs.org - Online Films Critics Society

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X-RT-RatingText: 8/10