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21 GRAMS - MOVIE REVIEW

21 Grams ( English , 2003)

Director : Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu

Cast : Sean Penn , Benicio Del Toro , Naomi Watts

Now , with a star cast like this one , you dont have any other option , but to load yourself with heavy expectations from this movie. And the best thing is , you are not let down... not one bit...

I will not get into the story , as it is best left for you to discover. The movie revolves around three individuals Paul Rivers ( Sean Penn) , Jack Jordan ( Del Toro) and Cristina Peck ( Naomi Watts). It deals with how a series of events combine to make their lives meet.

The movie follows a non-linear approach to the storyline , much like the Director's " Babel" , another fine movie which came out 3 years after " 21 Grams " . The characters are established , and the events which made their lives meet are uncovered only later on in the movie.

Non-linear movies can get on your nerves a bit , if you dont pay enough attention to the proceedings. This one is no exception . They say a good movie is one which makes you think , and this one makes you think quite a bit. Initially you do feel a sense of " What the hell is happening ?" , but later on you realize the beauty of the film once the story unfolds.

The movie makes you come across a lot of emotions - affection,hate,compassion,anger et al , through the course of the story. All beautifully brought out by the amazing star cast. These actors are among the best in the league , and they come up with superb performances.

Sean Penn , as the sick patient is a treat to watch . Subtle expressions are his forte in this movie and his acting is something to be truly admired.

Naomi Watts as the widow is at the top of her game . Do watch out for the scene in which she changes her emotions when Penn visits her house at 2 in the morning.

However , the strongest point of the movie has to be Benicio Del Toro , as the God fearing Jack Jordan. In fact the actual series of events which are responsible for making the three lives collide , can be attributed to his character , something which you will realize only later on the movie.

Such a powerful performance from Del Toro , makes this movie even more memorable. His character is something which reeks of philosophy , and a strong conviction in God. The best scene in the movie has to be the one in which Del Toro and his friend have an argument about God's will. This is acting at its best, in its purest form...

Screenplay is not exactly the fastest I have seen , but it does not let you off the hook so easily. The non-linear approach might not go down well with many people , but I feel the movie would not have been this good , if the Director had used the conventional linear technique.

Human emotions have always managed to strike a chord inside me. And especially Del Toro's character, Jack Jordan, who carries a sense of guilt throughout the movie , is simply a treat to watch.

This movie is definitely one of the best non-linear films I have come across. I find it really tough to find any flaws in this movie. I will go with 4 out of 5 for this brilliant movie , which almost makes it to the "Masterpiece" league , but for reasons unknown to myself , it falls one step short.

VERDICT : Brilliant ( 4/5 )