21 Grams
Release Date:
November 21, 2003
Limited release
As the trailer repeatedly tells us, 21 grams is the amount of weight a human body supposedly loses when it dies. Some people believe that this weight is the soul exiting the body.
This film from the creators of the heavy-themed Mexican film Amores Perros promises much more of the same. Director Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu and screenwriter Guillermo Arriaga again use an automobile accident as a central incident to connect the characters in the film. In this case, these characters are portrayed by Benicio Del Toro, Sean Penn, and Naomi Watts.
Watts takes on the role of a former drug addict and single mother, who somehow finds her life intersecting both tragically and redemptory manner with a terminally ill mathematics professor (Penn) and an ex-con who has discovered spirituality (Del Toro). Given the fact that two of these characters have been romantically involved in the past (and may still be), there's already a bit of a connection but the story that will be woven should make for a intriguing study of destiny and the part it plays in our lives.
Amores Perros was truly the first of the Mexican "new wave" to capture the attention of art house fans, and many people will be eagerly anticipating Inarritu and Arriaga's first English-language work. Penn is already getting some strong buzz for his performance, and may be a heavy-duty contender for awards based on the fact that he has had two very solid roles both in this film and in Mystic River. Look for 21 Grams to make some noise as awards season rolls around. (Kim Hollis/BOP)
|
|
|
|
Tweet
