21 GRAMS (2003)

Director Alejendro Gonzalez Inarritu is preoccupied with the notion of telling three different characters stories revolving around single accident once again. I have recently seen his impressive ‘Babel’ and this is my second Inarritu film. His films required lot of patience due to its slow pace and non linear narratives but if you keep these two things sidelined than I assure you that it’s an extremely quality product and a power packed film. The script written by Guillermo Arriga (who wrote ‘Babel’ also) is one of the finest post modern one and Inarritu layered it into jigsaw puzzle pieces by non linear scenes. It surely gives edge to the film.

It’s the story of three persons: Paul (Sean Penn), an ailing mathematician lifelessly married to an English housewife, Christina (Naomi Watts), an upper-middle class housewife, happily married and mother of two sweet girls and Jack (Benicio Del Toro), an ex-convict who found redemption in his Christian faith to raise his family. A terrible accident encountered them together and changes their lives. By the final frame, none of them remain same as they learn harsh truths about love, life, faith, courage, desire and guilt. The film is a statement that how a single situation can change our world permanently, although I don’t understand why Penn shot himself during the revealing tussle.
As a Jesus Christ obsessed and tattoos on his body criminal, Benicio Del Toro has powerful character of Jack Jordan on his sleeve and he is in mind-blowing form here. It’s definitely one of his strong and powerful character of lifetime. Sean Penn has maintained his character. Naomi watt is wonderful actress and she gave another proof here. In Inarritu films, we find strong women characters in supporting roles; in ‘Babel’ it’s Adriana Barraza as house servant Amelia and here it’s Melissa Leo as Del Toro’s wife who gave finest natural performance. Watch her mind-blowing and last year’s academy nominated performance in ‘Frozen River’ and you will find that what an underrated actress she is.

Strongly Recommended.

Ratings-8/10