Thoughts on 21 Grams?
 

I've read different perspectives fm critics ranging the film fm outright confusing and depressing to a compelling, powerful piece of art.

The film isn't showing where I live til next week but I read that it is opening to major cities. I'm a big fan of Naomi Watts and was quite enamored by the director's Amores Perros.

Can anyone who has seen it post some thoughts?

I heard the way it plays out is similar to Memento - you have to pay attention to everything or you'll be lost (but the pattern isn't as obvious as it was in Memento). I also hear it helps the movie's impact greatly - and it passes the linear test (Would it still be a good movie if told in a linear fashion? Yes).

I personally can't wait to see it, I hear it's an excellent flick all around and the acting, especially, is phenomenal.

I'm very much looking forward to seeing it as well. It's getting very good word of mouth so far, has a nice cast and sounds very interesting.

I can't wait to see it. Looks like a winner to me!

...this movie does sound interesting indeed...

. . . :o . . .

Good to see Naomi Watts career taking off.

I drove into Manhattan to see it at Loews Village (about a 2 hour drive) and I just have to say it was worth it.

I'll do my best to spare spoilers, but the movie centers around Benicio Del Toro, a born-again ex-con holding down a lot of different jobs to support his family, Sean Penn, a chronically ill mathematician with relationship troubles, and Naomi Watts, who has to deal with a major life-changing event throughout the entire movie.

The plot is skeletal, as this movie is not terribly story driven. What shines through is the acting from all three actors. Naomi Watts, especially, has a career performance. The cinematography is pretty good too, but I thought Amores Perros looked a bit better. The movie doesn't feel overlong eventhough it clocks in over 2 hours.

As for the director, he has one hell of an eye. Some beautifully composed shots in this one, and definately visually interesting where appropriate, and likewise draining emotionally where appropritate

Acting wise, I thought Penn was the worst of the principles, as DelTorro once again shines, and Watts should win the Oscar in my book, definately more believable than the respectable turn Theron gave. Theron is getting votes primarily based on her uglification in my book, but Watts was perfect in every scene of this one. And by the way, that's not to knock Penn, who was quite capable here, and I think BLEW AWAY his melodramatic paint by numbers Mystic River showing. But I"m just suprised he gets so much props when the other two are every bit his equal.

Definately a good movie, it's just frustrating to think it could have been great possibly, for me.

I liked the movie, though i agree that the plot was rather thin. The great performances by Del Toro (as usual) and Watts are what make this movie worth seeing. As for Penn, he turned in a good performance, but i think his turn in Mystic River is what should earn him the Best Actor nod.

I didn't really like the movie. The non-linear thing didn't really seem to serve any purpose. The movie was also depressing as hell. Naomi Watts gave a very nice performance, though.

I kind of liked it, but I agree, I didn't really see a purpose for the non-linearity of it.

Well, the story would have been utterly boring if it was told in chronological order. And all the great acting would have been melodramatic.

The way the story is told makes thinks more interesting and serves to slowly tell the story. Is it a gimmick - probably. Was it for a good reason - I think so.

While there was really no reason for the gimmicky puzzle narrative, this movie is made good by fantastic performances. Naomi Watts' transformation from content family woman to . was very well played, and is my favorite female performance of the year. Penn and Del Toro are both great as two separate men alternately dealing with . I also liked the small parts of Clea Duvall and Melissa Leo. The way these three separate lives come together is compelling and emotionally draining to watch. Sometimes, the emotion and weight of certain scenes doesn't register as well with the viewer because of the constant jumps through time. The film jumps from scenes of extreme anguish, to scenes of calm conversations between characters, to scenes of happiness. For me, it was hard to get a grip on exactly what I should be feeling for the characters at certain times. I could accept the jumpy structure of the film if there was a point to it. Nothing about this story suggests that it should not have been told in chronological order. Watching 21 Grams is a puzzle that can be figured out by paying close attention, but did this movie need to be a puzzle? Still a very good movie. Grade : B +

Your view on the ending (spoiler, of course)
 

Just got back fm seeing 21 Grams...incredible film and very powerful performances.

This is for those who have seen 21 Grams since I have a question that pertains to the ending...

SPOILER!!!!!








Did Sean Penn's character shoot himself intentionally or did the gun go off accidentally while he was trying to aim at Benicio Del Toro? By watching, I would think that he was trying to shoot Del Toro but because of his weakened state, was not able to.

Some people claim that he shot himself because he knew he was not going to live long anyway.

Thanks!!!!

Re: Your view on the ending (spoiler, of course)
 

I just wathced 21 grams yesterday in a theatre. I was very compelled by the movie, and liked it a lot.

I was shocked though, because one of the other viewers had brought a small child with him (a boy of probably 6-8 years old). The poor kid was very disturbed by the whole thing, even though he likely didn't understand the story, I'm sure the visuals were enough for him.

I am a strong advocate that parents have the choice to let their children watch what they think is appropriate for the child at that time. I do question this particular parent for bringing this child to this movie.

Just my 2 cents.

LolaRennt.

I absolutely loved 21 Grams. I just watched it a few days ago and am still utterly blown away. And I liked how the story was told non-linearly--maybe there was no real reason for it, but I liked it.

Acting wise, I thought everyone was fantastic. I wish Sean Penn had been nominated for this movie instead of Mystic River--I thought his performance in that was just ridiculous and over-acted. But, he, Del Toro, and Watts were all amazing in 21 Grams. Great film.

***/**** I think. Great performances, but I have to agree what everyone else is saying, there was no plot reason for it to be non-linear other than the perception that somehow makes it "artier." Really knocked it down a peg for me and for my money I think it would've been more powerful told straight. But man, Del Toro was fantastic, upon looking at it I really think he should've won best supporting actor again.

Terrific movie, fantastic performances by three awesome actors. Not exactly the feel-good flick of 2003 but still highly recommendable.

Del Toro definitely should've won best suppoting actor. He was [I think] even better in this than he was in Traffic.

Just got to see this last night and had a great time.

I got a lot out of the use of the non-linear narrative. I liked the way they chose which information to present and in what order. They were foreshadowing scenes from the past very nicely.
I was loving the performances and unique characters, but the way this came together totally entertained me. It kept me curious in a way I wasn’t used to. I don’t know if I wouldn’t call it artsy, but for me the style made a very pleasant difference and totally served a purpose.

I really liked the film due to the acting performances. Highly recommended.

I watched it for the 2nd time today and Naomi totally deserved to win. I think its my favourite movie of 2003.

bought it as a blind buy last week. the movie is great. I loved the development of all the characters, you got to understand them really well, and the whole 'puzzle' kind of movie was nice. youd get to see a part, and you wanted to see more, but it would go back. it definately led to me being more involved in the movie. and yes the acting is good, penn, watts and del toro were all great in the movie.

I sought this movie out after having enjoyed Babel and I was blown away by it. Babel is the more mature and ambitious work, but 21 Grams features more tightly integrated storylines, better performances and serves as a more compelling drama. I loved Naomi Watts' performance - she's now become one of my favourite actresses (after also having seen her in Mulholland Drive). The cinematography was just beautiful. *****