Anyone seen the movie 'Babel'?

[layne67]

Never thought I would say this but I think Brad Pitt did quite a good job as the frantic husband whose wife had been shot by a would-be terrorist in the middle-of-nowhere in Morocco. Or maybe it was because of Cate Blanchett who was superb as per usual. I enjoyed the movie, despite the disturbing subject matters. All four families with their interlocking tales had me in total grips from start to finish. The wedding in Mexico ( Santiago looked like Orlando Bloom omg ), the boys in Morocco, the disturbed deaf-mute teenager in Japan, Richard's children in America - I already knew beforehand that their stories were connected and it was awesome to see how they were related to each other as the movie progressed.

And I never thought that seeing someone pee in a pot holding on to her husband could be sexy but with Cate doing it with Brad Pitt, it was.

I cried a bit at the end but was there really anyone to be blamed for the whole affair? Everyone was doing what they were supposed to do, the boys were being boys, the border police were doing their job, the media were in the business of selling news. Sad but there it was.

I haven't seen 'The Departed' ( which didn't get very good reviews here, it being unfavourably compared to its Hong Kong's original version ) but based on its own merit I'd say that 'Babel' is a very good film indeed and I'm rather surprised that it didn't win the Oscar for Best Film. Though it did get the award for Best Director at BAFTA, good for him.

Comments

[claudia603.livejournal.com]

I haven't seen Babel yet, but I'm sort of avoiding depressing movies lately...sometime I will probably rent it! It sounds intriguing...

[layne67.livejournal.com]

It's not as much as depressing as it was disturbing. May not be everyone's cup of tea but I like it!

[sophinisba]

I found this one to be both depressing and disturbing so I can understand you taking a pass (for now at least), but it is very affecting and beautifully filmed, so I was glad I saw it on a big screen.

[mews1945.livejournal.com]

It does sound like it would be something I'd like. I'll have to get it on DVD.

[layne67.livejournal.com]

Imagine it as 'Love Actually' sans Hugh Grant and the comedy :)

[arabia764.livejournal.com]

Brad Pitt was quite good?

I was rather taken with him around the time of Thelma and Louise but his acting just got worse and worse after that VERY early high.

[layne67.livejournal.com]

Yeah, he was surprisingly good! I'm not into him but I'd choose him over Leo and Tom Cruise :D

His wife was shot, there was no hospital anywhere near, his children back home were taken care of this illegal Mexican who took them across the border for her son's wedding wherein she lost them in the desert ( though he only found out about that later ), yeah, all in all, not bad!

[cloudlessclimes.livejournal.com]

I saw this at the film festival back in Sept and really enjoyed it. Surprizingly my favourite storyline was the Japanese girl. I had no idea she isn't deaf until I saw her being interviewed after she was nominated for the academy award. And you're right, Brad does a really good job. I also liked him in 12 Monkeys and Snatch but this is the first time I've ever thought he did a credible job of playing a normal guy.

[layne67.livejournal.com]

Any idea what she wrote to that detective? And that story of her mum jumping from the balcony. I suppose that was to get some attention from him?

And oh my, those tiny skirts are part of their school uniforms, aren't they? Phew!

At times Brad reminded me of Clooney in that movie. Clooney would make a good Richard, too, I think. Thank goodness it wasn't Mel Gibson or Nick Cage.

[cloudlessclimes.livejournal.com]

It didn't translate what she was writing on the pad? It did at the screening I saw. Unfortunately I can't remember. And maybe in her mind, jumping off the balcony was a "nicer" way for her mother to go. Rather than using one of her dad's guns.

I'm not a Clooney fan (he smiles too much) but I'm with you and very glad it was neither Mel Gibson or Cage (really can't stand either of them).

I thought the child actors in the film did a good job as well.

[sophinisba]

I thought all the performances in this were really great so I was a little disappointed that it didn't get the SAG award for ensemble cast. :( I often like Brad Pitt's performances but in this movie I was especially impressed by Adriana Barraza, the Mexican actress who played the nanny. Mmmm, and I always love Gael García Bernal. At first I was disappointed that he didn't have a bigger part in this but he was terrific in those few scenes he was in, especially the one at the border.

[layne67.livejournal.com]

Oh yes, Barraza was great as Amelia. And was Bernal the one playing Santiago? The one who looked a bit like Orli?

[sophinisba]

Yes, that is our Gael! I think I saw they were trying to get him for the part Elijah's now playing in The Oxford Murders but I am still dreaming that someday they will be in a movie together. Have you seen The Motorcycle Diaries or Y tu mamá también? I think both of them are extremely slashable though I haven't seen any fanfic writers take them on. :D

[layne67.livejournal.com]

I think they would be just gorgeous together! And Elijah does have that Latin look about him.

No, I haven't watched those two movies but I've heard of 'The Motorcycle Diaries'. Gael was in it? I'll look that movie up the next time I go to the dvd store.

[aina-baggins.livejournal.com]

yeah, I saw it on my flight to LA on Tuesday, actually :) I enjoyed it. It was very raw, and the characters were very real. I liked the way you slowly learned how they all connected.

I also saw Bobby and Happy Feet on the plane. YAY! :D

[layne67.livejournal.com]

'Babel' makes me want to watch 'Pan's Labyrinth' and 'Children of Men' as well. Cuaron certainly did a good job with 'The Prisoner of Azkaban'!

I haven't seen 'Bobby' yet.

[majblomma.livejournal.com]

Hi, I friended you because I want you with me. *hugs*

[layne67.livejournal.com]

*adds you right back, love*

[majblomma.livejournal.com]

I noticed. :D Good, because I want you with me. *hugs*