Review of 21 Grams (2003) by Kenneth W — 03 Feb 2012

This movie is just good. It's not great. The acting and characters are pretty interesting. But the nonlinear story line lurches along, a few steps forward and then a few steps back. At times I was adjusting my volume because I could not make out what the characters were saying.

The confusing structure of the film does not allow it to easily reach any dramatic crescendo. There is plenty of sex and screaming, with some violence, and many scenes are dark, gray, and dingy. The timing was also off.

I was always fighting this feeling that material was left on the editing room floor. It always felt lacking in some inexplicable way. But I had to give it a 3 because I like dramas, even soap operas like this one.