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IMDb > 21 Grams (2003)
21 Grams
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21 Grams (2003) -- A freak accident brings together a critically ill mathematician (Penn), a grieving mother (Watts) and a born-again ex-con (Del Toro).
21 Grams (2003) -- Theatrical Preview

Overview

User Rating:
7.9/10   67,634 votes
MOVIEmeter: ?
Down 8% in popularity this week. See rank & trends on IMDbPro.
Writer (WGA):
Guillermo Arriaga (written by)
Contact:
View company contact information for 21 Grams on IMDbPro.
Release Date:
26 December 2003 (USA) more
Genre:
Crime | Drama | Thriller more
Tagline:
Difference between dead and life more
Plot:
A freak accident brings together a critically ill mathematician (Penn), a grieving mother (Watts) and a born-again ex-con (Del Toro). full summary | full synopsis
Awards:
Nominated for 2 Oscars. Another 20 wins & 34 nominations more
User Comments:
One of 03's Best! more

Cast

  (Cast overview, first billed only)
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Additional Details

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 more
Sound Mix:
DTS | Dolby Digital
Filming Locations:
Memphis, Tennessee, USA more

Fun Stuff

Trivia:
The film was shot in chronological order (even though it's not in chronological order in its final cut). more
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 more
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.
more
Movie Connections:
Featured in 10th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards (2004) (TV) more
Soundtrack:
Can We Get Together more

FAQ

This FAQ is empty. Add the first question.
55 out of 73 people found the following comment useful:-
One of 03's Best!, 19 April 2004
8/10
Author: edaz from United States

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

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Message Boards

Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for 21 Grams (2003)
Recent Posts (updated daily)User
Why I don't like this movie, and why I think some do. ereg24
The final frame muzzle33
Question about the transplant dab6
Penn's character is one of the most disliked I've ever seen NineInches9
Why is this movie often put together with Traffic? dcij47
best movie ever! does anyone know any movie like this? faraz_84
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