Review of Babel (2006) by Guido M — 05 Oct 2014

Babel shows again director Alejandro Gonzalez Iñarritu blending three stories together into a sort of tragic Pulp Fiction as he did in 21 Grams, only that this time I didn't want to burn the film after I've seen it. In fact, I really liked Babel. It's not only more luminous than the previously mentioned, but a prettier, steadier and ultimately much more better executed film.

The film goes through three stories sharing a same theme that is the lack of communication: One, definitely the most heart-pounding of all, is with Cate Blanchett and Brad Pitt as a couple in vacation in Morocco that are victims to a terrible random attack. Then we have the story of the children of this couple and their Nanny, Amelia (Adriana Barranza) that get into trouble in the very racy U.S/Mexico border. Last but not least, a story about a teenage girl in Japan, Chieko (Rinko Kikuchi) that is deaf-and-dumb and is desperate to loose her virginity.

The three stories are pretty solid, although I have to say the least interesting (And the one that less ties up to the main core of the film) is the one of the horny asian schoolgirl, although it has its intense moments. The other two stories are just pitch-perfect. The Morrocco Attack is full of tension and drama, and the one in the Frontier is full of despair and powerful indictment. And of course, the message of social understanding between the three is potent and satisfying.

Alejandro Gonzalez Iñarritú, Rodriego Prieto and Gustavo Santaolalla al get together to make yet another film that is aesthetically beautiful to look at, and with a score that adds intensity and oomph. The acting is phenomenal, specially Adriana Barranza who is the Queen Bee in a honeycomb of greatness. The amount of talent involved in this film pays off hugely.

The three stories get fair screen time on "Babel", and that at times feel uneven, but never prevents the film from being what it is: a powerful moral of today's society that manages to touch the viewer in many ways.