Review of 21 Grams (2003) by Andreas B — 04 Apr 2010

What is there to say about 21 Grams? A movie that would have otherwise been just another chaotic suburban film has been turned into something greater. This film is quite hard to describe, however, as due to its method of presentation with its timeline, spoilers are very easily given away, so this will be kept brief, as this is one movie that should not be spoiled.

Sean Penn, Naomi Watts, and Benicio Del Toro work their magic yet again, as each of these three actors are nothing short of phenomenal. Naomi Watts even seems to be a sure win for an Academy Award, but then Charlize Theron and Monster happened. If it were not for her soon-to-be-iconic performance, Naomi would have won, as she plays a former drug addict in distress. Her on-screen panic attacks and break downs are both terrifying and at the same time inspiring, and to out act Sean Penn is really something.

As for the male leads, Sean Penn is, well, Sean Penn. Self explanatory, and a sure well acted performance. The same thing can be said with Del Toro, who is a wild card actor as you never know what to expect from him, this movie included. Another former drug addict turned super Christian, Del Toro plays an arrogant born-again with such passion and creepiness. He would have won the Oscar, but then Tim Robbins starred in Mystic River.

Perhaps 21 Grams suffered the good old Assassination-Of-Jesse-James-Syndrome: Being released one year too late. Its competition with both the reward season and the media made it struggle and covered, as this is a film that appears to have been forgotten. And forgotten it should not be.

Time to explain the unique form of plot here. Where do I start? That is the same thing 21 Grams asks, as it starts slightly past the middle of the storyline, then goes right to the end, and back near the beginning, but not the actual beginning.

Confused already? Yeah; we have gone through four scenes. 21 Grams works as "life flashing before ones eyes" and through fragments of memories without warning the audience that it is doing so. If you do not figure it out; this will be the most confusing movie of recent times. If you do figure it out, this movie becomes a wonderful guessing game, as pieces of the future and the past meld the three leads together.

21 Grams is an exciting daring film that is very well made and well acted. The only issue is that this film demands to be watched and paid attention to, and it can be easy to lose interest near the start with its execution of scenes. If you wait and give this film a chance, you will not only watch a very good movie; but you will also witness what may be Naomi Watt's best role of her career. Quite an underrated film of the 21st century.

Final Rating: 8.2/10.

Keep An Eye Out For: The purpose for the name of the film. It will come eventually, but when it does, many things in the film make a very striking resemblance with one another. Another reason to wait for it. And a hint is, 21 Grams has nothing to do with drugs. ;).