posted
Babel feels a bit like a montage of very loosely related short films centred around the theme of communication breakdown, or the inability to step in another's shoes. From the trailer, I was expecting these characters' stories to become more intertwined.
It was an interesting enough film, but I think it could have done more to push its premise. I also fail to understand the Japanese characters' bizarre behaviour (not just the deaf-mute girl).
What are your thoughts?
Posts: 1762 | Registered: Apr 2006
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posted
I thought it was crap. It tried to be artsy or something, and instead, ended up being crap. Adolescent boys jerking off and teenage deaf naked girls are not what I like in movies.
Personally, I would recommend staying as far away from this dung heap as you can.
Posts: 8355 | Registered: Apr 2003
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posted
Yeah, the scenes set in Tokyo weirded me out and almost made me feel ashamed of living there. And the boy peaking on his sister was just unnecessary.
It's a shame because the premise behind the film is a good one.
Posts: 1762 | Registered: Apr 2006
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posted
I thought it was the best film I've seen since.. Eternal Sunshine? So that's a good year or two now. Inarritu showing again why he's one of the most exciting directors in the world, pushing the envelope with each of his films.
Sorry to hear that you hated it quidscribis. He (or at least his writer) seems to like to jar the audience a little with something that seems unnecessary. His films are definitely not made for everybody
Posts: 122 | Registered: Feb 2003
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posted
I'm sure those scenes were included to make the film feel more realistic and gritty. Western tourists in third world countries have to worry about sanitation, and adolescent boys tend to think about sex a lot. But the behaviour of the deaf girl lacked sufficient explanation, and I'm not sure it added to the film. I guess the badly-executed intention was to show that her communication difficulties and family circumstances created a desperate desire for intimacy.
Posts: 1762 | Registered: Apr 2006
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posted
Yeah, well, humans also have to urinate and defecate, and while it's also realistic and I'm sure we're all aware that it happens, it doesn't mean I'd like to see that either.
Jar the audience? Um, sure, but at what cost?
Any message that might have been there was ruined, IMHO, by the poor delivery.
Posts: 8355 | Registered: Apr 2003
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posted
Not all art has to be a narcoleptic, you know.
Aside from the Mexican story - which bored me - I thought it was one of the better movies I've seen this year. And the Japanese story was the best. Insert as many hyperbolic adjectives about that segment as you like; it was awesome.
Posts: 1515 | Registered: Feb 2002
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