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21 Grams (2003) Reviews

21 Grams (2003)
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Mexican filmmaker Alejandro González Iñárritu makes his first English-language feature with the downbeat drama 21 Grams. Set in an unnamed U.S. urban center, the film uses a nonlinear structure to piece together the intertwined lives of three very different people. Paul (Sean Penn) is a math teacher with a heart problem and a troubled marriage to British wife Mary (Charlotte Gainsbourg). Christine (Naomi Watts) is a former drug addict who lives with her husband, Michael (Danny Huston), and her daughters. Jack (Benicio del Toro) is a born-again Christian with a wife (Melissa Leo) who has stood by him since his days as a criminal. Following a tragic accident, the three main characters are thrown into each other's lives. 21 Grams was shown in competition at the 2003 Venice International Film Festival. ~ Andrea LeVasseur, Rovi

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Starring:
Sean Penn, Benicio Del Toro, (more)
Director(s):
Alejandro González Iñárritu
Theatrical MPAA Rating:
R
Format(s):
DVD
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Average Ratings

(89 member reviews)  

Member Reviews

Lisa C.

Far too often people confuse "angst" with "literature". Melodrama does not create meaning on its own. While the story is not completely without redemption--there's a kernel of something in it--far too much of the energy of the film is spent trying to show us over and over how depressed the characters are instead of building purpose. In addition, this film is disjointed for no conceivable reason. In Memento, Irreversible or other films that used a non-linear storyline, the technique was used purposefully to allow the viewer to gain a different perception of a character that would be later altered when the "true" events unfolded. This film does no such thing. It's confusing for confusing sake... my best guess is that it allows what should have been a 20 minute short to be dragged out to a grueling two hours.

Yes   |   No


Tony W.

Inarritu showed more focus in this movie compared to his later movie Babel. But he again needlessly presents it in a nonlinear fashion, aimlessly switching between the storylines, to make the overall story seem more interesting and complicated than it really is. It actually detracts from the movie overall since it greatly diminishes the climax, and sometimes it's just downright distracting. However, Inarritu does appear to be able to get good performances out of his actors, with the exception of Sean Penn. But he's not a good actor to begin with anyway.

Yes   |   No


David Z.

the only problem with this disjointed movie lies in the fact that I find it hard to feel for any of the people and that makes it even harder to follow.

Yes   |   No


Calvin S.

This film makes soap operas look good. It deserves half a star for the caliber of the actors but everything else -- the script, the direction, the music --- is totally morbid. Avoid it at all costs.

Yes   |   No


Priyatam M.

It's rare the you come across films that deal with human emotions so subtle and intense at the same time in parallel themes and Alexandro does exactly that with all his movies. 21 Grams packs some powerful performances from Benecio Del Toro and Naomi Watts and with it's non chronological parallel storytelling, it makes it one of the most unique movies you will watch and experience.

Yes   |   No


Marie C.

.

Yes   |   No


Bronwyne V.

Good movie. All actors gave a good performance.

Yes   |   No


John R.

Brilliantly done and acted. Naomi Watts and Sean Penn raise the bar on dramatic acting, and Del Toro is a treat as always. The characters ripped and tugged at my heartstrings and ran me through a meat grinder. A destined classic.

Yes   |   No


Walter B.

It sucks!

Yes   |   No


Kiran N.

movies should not be like puzzle solving. The director applied same strategy for the movie 'Babel', Babel is far better than this movie, because of the longer time spent for each part (country) of the story and because of the excellent background music. First i watched Babel , then i expected same thing from this movie, but this movie is a dissappointment.

Yes   |   No


 
 
 

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    Lisa C.

    Far too often people confuse "angst" with "literature". Melodrama does not create meaning on its own. While the story is not completely without redemption--there's a kernel of something in it--far too much of the energy of the film is spent trying to show us over and over how depressed the characters are instead of building purpose. In addition, this film is disjointed for no conceivable reason. In Memento, Irreversible or other films that used a non-linear storyline, the technique was used purposefully to allow the viewer to gain a different perception of a character that would be later altered when the "true" events unfolded. This film does no such thing. It's confusing for confusing sake... my best guess is that it allows what should have been a 20 minute short to be dragged out to a grueling two hours.

    Yes   |   No

     
    Tony W.

    Inarritu showed more focus in this movie compared to his later movie Babel. But he again needlessly presents it in a nonlinear fashion, aimlessly switching between the storylines, to make the overall story seem more interesting and complicated than it really is. It actually detracts from the movie overall since it greatly diminishes the climax, and sometimes it's just downright distracting. However, Inarritu does appear to be able to get good performances out of his actors, with the exception of Sean Penn. But he's not a good actor to begin with anyway.

    Yes   |   No

     
    David Z.

    the only problem with this disjointed movie lies in the fact that I find it hard to feel for any of the people and that makes it even harder to follow.

    Yes   |   No

     
    Read All 89 Reviews
       

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