21 Grams (2003)

User Rating:

7.9/10   

Director:

Alejandro González Iñárritu

Writer (WGA):

Guillermo Arriaga (written by)

Release Date:

26 December 2003 (USA)

Genre:

Crime | Drama | Thriller

Tagline:

Difference between dead and life

Plot:

A freak accident brings together a critically ill mathematician (Penn), a grieving mother (Watts) and a born-again ex-con (Del Toro).

Plot Keywords:

Faith | Mathematician | Guilt | Ex Convict | Born Again

Awards:

Nominated for 2 Oscars. Another 20 wins & 34 nominations

Cast

Sean Penn	...	Paul Rivers
Naomi Watts	...	Cristina Peck
Danny Huston	...	Michael
Carly Nahon	...	Cathy
Claire Pakis	...	Laura
Benicio Del Toro	...	Jack Jordan
Nick Nichols	...	Boy
Charlotte Gainsbourg	...	Mary Rivers
John Rubinstein	...	Gynecologist
Eddie Marsan	...	Reverend John
Loyd Keith Salter	...	Fat Man
Antef A. Harris	...	Basketball Guy
Melissa Leo	...	Marianne Jordan
Marc Musso	...	Freddy (as Marc Thomas Musso)
Teresa Delgado	...	Gina

MPAA:

Rated R for language, sexuality, some violence and drug use.

Runtime:

124 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

DTS | Dolby Digital

Certification:

USA:R (certificate #40185) | Portugal:M/16 | Malaysia:(Banned) | Argentina:16 | Australia:MA | Brazil:16 | Canada:13+ (Quebec) | Canada:18A | Chile:14 | Finland:K-15 | France:-12 | Germany:12 | Hong Kong:III | Iceland:16 | Ireland:18 | Japan:PG-12 | Mexico:B15 | Netherlands:16 | New Zealand:R16 | Norway:15 | Philippines:R-18 | South Korea:18 | Spain:18 | Sweden:11 | Switzerland:16 (canton of Geneva) | Switzerland:16 (canton of Vaud) | UK:15 | Singapore:R(A) | Singapore:M18 (DVD rating)

Filming Locations:

Memphis, Tennessee, USA

Company:

This Is That Productions

Trivia:

The film was shot in chronological order (even though it's not in chronological order in its final cut).

Goofs:

Errors made by characters (possibly deliberate errors by the filmmakers): A nickel weighs just under 5 grams so five nickels would be just under 25 grams

Quotes:

[first lines]
Michael: Check, please.
Cathy: Look Daddy, a volcano.
[Cathy blows bubbles into her soft drink]
Michael: It's very pretty. Drink up your volcano. All right. We're going. Mommy's waiting.
Cathy: Daddy, please. Just one more minute.

Movie Connections:

Featured in 10th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards (2004) (TV)

Soundtrack:

Can We Get Together

One of 03's Best!

21 Grams is a seamless presentation of life or death. 21 Grams represents the weight we lose when we die, who knows if this is factual but it really doesn't matter. Everyday people thrown into harsh realities leading to death, addiction, and prison. A not so simple story is not easy to lay out to someone reading this review. Paul Rivers (Sean Penn) a College Professor has little time left with an ill heart condition. Christiana Peck(Naomi Watts) is a mother of two and a devoted wife. Her addiction arise when her family is involved in a tragic car accident. Jack Jordan an ex-convict has found the Christan faith but yet again slips and causes the tragic car accident. Three stories weaved perfectly together to make us question in something other than ourselves.

The editing is superior and adds to the dark story. The narrative is buried in interconnected and relevant pieces. For instance we see Paul with Christiana which is followed by a scene with Paul ill in a hospital. This adds an unknown and mystical attribute that would have been lost in a linear story. Viewing the film is like putting together a mental puzzle. If non-linear films are not your type please consider 21 Grams for outstanding performances.

Sean Penn perfectly showcases his ability as a weak, sick, and highly intelligent man. Penn's performance here highly surpassed his work in Mystic River, another one of his great roles. Why Penn did not get a nomination is a mystery to me. Female lead Watts shows the darker side of her spectrum. No longer is she the shrieking and squabbling reporter in the horror film The Ring, but a lady who represents our weakness and suffering. Like a lady Macbeth she pushes for vengeance and shows and scary and powerful women not to mess with. Her connection with Penn is particularly interesting in the way in certain scenes she takes control over him in subtle ways. The audience senses the anguish when she resorts back to drugs. Benicio Del Toro is the character we pity for the most. A man who reformed from his criminal life, but a convict past does not lead to a clean future. His difficulties are laid out when he is fired from a golf club because of his tattoos, in a disheartening scene where he pleads to cover up his tattoos to keep his terrible job as a Caddy. The poor man has two children and a wife to support. We make mistakes, life is imperfect, Benicio represents this to the fullest..

Without a doubt one of the best of 2003 for its gritty performances and look, a sharp screenplay, and excellent overall direction by Mexican Director, Alejandro González Iñárritu. (Nominated for 2 Academy awards including Best Actress: Naomi Watts and Best Supporting Actor: Benicio Del Toro) 10/10