21 Grams

Death is perhaps the most universal theme in storytelling next to love. I assumed like many I assume are, are assuming that "21 grams" refers to persurment of drugs. it does not. it refers instead to the soul. if you measure a man before and after his death he will be 21 grams lighter.

this movie examines the question of what life means and what is worth through three interlocking stories. Emily Watts is an ex junky who looses her husband and children in a hit and run, Benicio Del Toro is an ex con who looses his faith in god and abandons his life after committing a hit and run and Sean Penn brings them together as a dying man who has given up on his life and becomes obsessed with this hit and run case. culminating in a harrowing demise

I cannot say I enjoyed this movie, but I will freely say I like it and admire all it strived to accomplish. I will say that it is by no means a feel good movie and looking back over this directors filmography has made me understand why his switch to comedy with "Birdman" was such a surprise to critics at the time. This movie is a perfect depressant as there is no attempt to elevate the tensions or add even a second of humour. leaving behind a very strong movie with deep rooted sense of darkness. The only reason I can imagine re-watching this movie is to attempt to piece the plot together, as although the plot is simple it is told out of order with the editing jumping about constantly in what at first might seem random but is incredibly deliberate and make this movie a far more unique and interesting experience then had it been told in order as you are constantly trying to work out where you are in the story and how everything in the past will connect to the images we see from the future.

Alejandro Gonzales Innurito directs the shots almost aimlessly with only one or two visually interesting shots. the strongest aspects of its films are its performances, each one is strong and allows you to see not just there outer pain but also there inner turmoil. I'll also give praise to its cinematography for capturing a constantly cold atmosphere which perfectly suits the theme of death.

however the editing (although expertly done) can be very distracting at first but if you are able to relax you will fully enjoy the experience but try, if you can, to remove the directors other work.

4/5