Review of Biutiful (2010) by Edgar C — 16 Jul 2013

PIRINEOS IS BIUTIFUL.

For once, we witness for the first time a feature film that does not play with interrelated stories as Iñárritu had intended to construct a multicultural trilogy beforehand, and the result is of a highly respectable quality.

Biutiful is, in my humble opinion, the proof of a couple of points:

1) Do not care about the budget nor the financial response at the box office; stay making films in your motherland and the quality of your films is most likely to remain high (Del Toro, Cuarón, I'm watching you!).

2) Do not care if the story about a man with a troubled past, with a terminal death-conducing illness and a turbulent family present state have been treated several times in the past; stay true to your characters, your vision on life and the motivations behind the characters, and you will always have something of quality to bring to the table for reflection.

Bardem's performance is astounding. Iñárritu and Reygadas are my only hopes for Mexican films still being put in the international map. Yet, if I had to bet for one, it would be Reygadas despite his worldwide hatred. As long as both directors keep bringing suppressive environments and strong stories worth being told, and as long as both are nominated at the Cannes Film Festival like they still do, everything's fine.

84/100.