But...Inarritu did this sort of thing better...

...in 2000's Amores Perros, and to some extent in 21 Grams. IMO he did the same sort overlapping, complex story lines more powerfully in these earlier films. (BTW, I would imagine most audiences would find certain imagery these two films much more "disturbing" than Babel. But they are also much better movies.)

Inarritu (who, along with Alfonso Cuaron and Guillermo del Toro, is one of the celebrated "Three Amigos") is certainly one of the most talented directors in the world. His nerve and cinematic chops are beyond question. He surely deserves all praise for tackling this multilayered, interconnected, complex narrative with its interweaving stories, overlapping time lines and disparate characters.

Parts of Babel are certainly beautifully told (such as the Japanese story). But some of it feels rather trite (such as the Mexican chapter). Where Inarritu's previous films grabbed me and held me byt the throat for their entire length, Babel often annoyed and irritated me, taking me out of the story by calling attention to its own impotance. I bought Amores Perros right from the git go. I didn't buy Babel, not completely, not ever, although I wanted very much to like it.

For me, the script is the weak spot, never quite succeeding in tying this ambitious film together. I found the American characters in particular rather one dimensional and their reactions/responses often implausible. Too often Babel strains for its effects where the previous films created a more telling emotional truth.

For this I place much of the blame on Inarritu's close collaborator, screenwriter Guillermo Arriaga. Arriaga also wrote Amores Perros and 21 Grams, but it seems to me he bit off more than he could chew with Babel. Where Amores perros was content to trust the audience and let the characters and story tell us everything we needed to know, Babel keeps uderlining the message and adding exclamation points, just to be sure we "get it".

I get it, I just don't like it.

Come back, Inarritu, I miss your unique voice - leave the baggage behind this time.

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Follow Ups Full Thread

Topic - Babel - mishmashmusic 08:05:59 02/19/08 (24)

A brave try... - Harmonia 16:38:19 02/19/08 (3)

RE: A brave try... - Jazz Inmate 17:47:49 02/19/08 (2)

We'll just have to disagree about this one... - Harmonia 21:04:00 02/19/08 (1)

There's no doubt CuarÃ³n is hugely gifted - Jazz Inmate 00:47:41 02/20/08 (0)

A GREAT film!!!! Top 100 of all time. - tinear 15:13:15 02/19/08 (10)

What was your problem with No Country - Jazz Inmate 15:34:09 02/19/08 (9)

Oh come on! A "masterpiece?" If it were, how would you - tinear 16:13:01 02/19/08 (8)

Fargo was practically a comedy like Raising Arizona - Jazz Inmate 17:10:44 02/19/08 (7)

The Coen Bros. just cannot not be funny. nt - geoffkait 12:03:53 02/20/08 (0)

But is it truly comic relief? - Harmonia 22:17:11 02/19/08 (0)

"Barton Fink," "Miller's Crossing," "The Man Who Wasn't There," - tinear 18:10:27 02/19/08 (4)

Go to your local video store and you'll find Barton Fink in the comedy section - Jazz Inmate 01:07:43 02/20/08 (1)

And if you go to the WH, youÂ´ll find George W. Bush sitting at the Oval Office (that is, when he is not... - orejones 11:28:20 02/20/08 (0)

Add Blood Simple to the serious Coens' list. - Road Warrior 19:40:36 02/19/08 (0)

"...art shouldn't debase humanity." - Sage. ~t - mpathus 19:09:08 02/19/08 (0)

The movie kept screaming out about how important, deep and meaningful it was - sjb 12:52:13 02/19/08 (0)

If you predicted each of the plotlines' outcomes, kudos on your mindreading abilities - Jazz Inmate 11:50:03 02/19/08 (4)

But...Inarritu did this sort of thing better... - Harmonia 16:23:43 02/19/08 (2)

I agree with all of that - Jazz Inmate 16:30:08 02/19/08 (1)

Perhaps I went in a bit annoyed... - Harmonia 16:44:52 02/19/08 (0)

RE: If you predicted each of the plotlines' outcomes, kudos on your mindreading abilities - mishmashmusic 12:22:28 02/19/08 (0)

RE: Babel - musetap 11:00:10 02/19/08 (0)

Mucho agreeo. I liked the Japanese story cause of the skin. * - mr grits 10:54:04 02/19/08 (0)

RE: Babel - DWPC 10:27:05 02/19/08 (0)

Follow Ups

But...Inarritu did this sort of thing better... - Harmonia 16:23:43 02/19/08 (2)

I agree with all of that - Jazz Inmate 16:30:08 02/19/08 (1)

Perhaps I went in a bit annoyed... - Harmonia 16:44:52 02/19/08 (0)

But...Inarritu did this sort of thing better...

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