Review of Birth (2004) by Brian R — 03 Nov 2011
The very first scene (A flashback) shows a a man running through Central Park, New York who dies of a heartattack. Who is this person? Jump to the present and a woman is seen standing at a gravesite in mourning. The woman's name is Anna played by Nicole Kidman. Her husband, the one who died at Central Park, is Sean. Anna is going to be married to another man and yet there is a third character, a child actually who claims he is Anna's first husband Sean.
The child is also named Sean (Cameron Bright) shows up at Anna's house unexpectedly and breaks out the news. Anna at first doesn't believe him but later does when the young Sean collapses. "Birth" is an intelligent and intriguing picture. I am not sure if the film wants the audience to believe in reincarnations and such but does so with maturity. The performances is all first rate from Nicole Kidman (her best since Eyes Wide Shut), Danny Houston, Lauren Becall, and Cameron Bright.
The director Jonathan Glazer uses tight close-ups and slow dolly shots for the audience to get into the minds of Anna and the young Sean. The look of the film is done beautifully and yet quietly creepy by Harris Savides. The interiors is posh and wealthy (something i'm not even accustomed too) but with every wealthy interior lies dread or gloom. Im puzzled why a lot of people didn't like this? Maybe they just don't like dark pictures that carry some sort of spiritual texture?
This review of Birth (2004) was written by Brian R on 03 Nov 2011.
Birth has generally received mixed reviews.
Was this review helpful?
