21 Grams is the second film by Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu, the director behind the brilliant 2001 Mexican film, Amores Perros.
In his second feature, he keeps the same style of a fragmented narrative style and the same themes, which are mainly death, tragedy and the importance of relationships.
21 Grams is a heavy and dark drama which follows the lives of 3 characters. Paul Rivers (Sean Penn); a college Maths professor who lives with his girlfriend and suffers from a rare and serious heart condition. Christina Peck (Naomi Watts); a loving wife and caring mother of two, maturing as a young adult after a reckless youth with the help of her family. And Jack Jordan (Bencio Del Toro); an ex-con who has devoted his life to his faith, finds it hard to remain in the same job, a husband and a father of two.
These three different characters lives are entwined when a tragic and fatal car crash significantly effects each in way one or another.
21 Grams is an emotionally draining and at times depressing film and is definatley not for the faint hearted. The fragmented narrative style is at times confusing for the audience but also intriguing, always making the viewer think.
The performances from Penn, Del Toro and in particular Noami Watts are quite outstanding. We probably wont see any other film this year which offers such amazing acting by three actors in the one film.
A solid and very originally made film - 7/10
In his second feature, he keeps the same style of a fragmented narrative style and the same themes, which are mainly death, tragedy and the importance of relationships.
21 Grams is a heavy and dark drama which follows the lives of 3 characters. Paul Rivers (Sean Penn); a college Maths professor who lives with his girlfriend and suffers from a rare and serious heart condition. Christina Peck (Naomi Watts); a loving wife and caring mother of two, maturing as a young adult after a reckless youth with the help of her family. And Jack Jordan (Bencio Del Toro); an ex-con who has devoted his life to his faith, finds it hard to remain in the same job, a husband and a father of two.
These three different characters lives are entwined when a tragic and fatal car crash significantly effects each in way one or another.
21 Grams is an emotionally draining and at times depressing film and is definatley not for the faint hearted. The fragmented narrative style is at times confusing for the audience but also intriguing, always making the viewer think.
The performances from Penn, Del Toro and in particular Noami Watts are quite outstanding. We probably wont see any other film this year which offers such amazing acting by three actors in the one film.
A solid and very originally made film - 7/10