21 Grams

[Danbry39]

21 Grams has some real strengths: A smartly drawn script, wonderful direction, and extraordinary acting. I feel Sean Penn does an even stronger job of acting here then he did in Mystic River. Plot threads, at first disparate and leaving one wondering what’s going on, weave together eventually to reveal the interconnection of lives seeming at first glance to be unrelated. I really can’t say too much about what’s going as almost everything here would be a spoiler.

This really is, imo, an excellent movie, one though that I’d hardly recommend for most of you. It is gruelingly depressing and one critical scene I haven’t even figured out yet. If anyone else has seen it, I’d sure appreciate your impressions. Thankfully, by the end, I was at least enjoying the picture…well Naomi Watts, whom I first loved in Mulholland Drive, gets sensual again. That’s a good thing, right?

The best thing I can say about 21 Grams is that it makes me thankful for the life I have. Things could be a lot worse.

Like Mystic River, this is hardly a feel good or entertaining movie. It is a film that will emotionally drain you. Maybe, if Disney puts out an animated version, it will be easier to stomach.

As I’m typing this, I’m thinking I really did love this film, but would feel very uncomfortable recommending it to others, unless they like this type of viewing experience.

Sorry for the disjointed review, but that’s how I feel after seeing this DVD.

[Dean McManis]

Thanks for the review Keith. 8)
The preview was pretty compelling for this film, and with all of the heavyweight actors it looked like it was going to be a gritty movie.
I'm still on the fence about renting it however, but I appreciate getting to read your impressions of the film.

-Dean.

[George Bellefontaine]

House Of Sand And Fog, Mystic River and now 21 Grams. There seems to be a depressing trend here, doesn't there. Although I like to watch a realistic drama now and then, I have to be in the right mood-- like maybe feeling a little happy on Jack Daniels.

Still, I am a big Sean Penn fan and I will definitely have to see both MR and 21G. Thanks for the overview, Keith.

[Danbry39]

Dean and George,

Let me know what you think if you see it. I think it's more depressing than either House of Sand and Fog or Mystic River personally, but that could have been the mood I was in. George, you're so right about needing to be in the right frame of mind. I still haven't gotten through Tokyo Story, although I received it over a month ago. I've wanted that film for years and jumped all over buying the Criterion edition when it finally came to be available. Watched the first 30 or so minutes right away, felt uncomfortable, and haven't picked it up again. When I'm prepared for it, I'm sure I'll appreciate it greatly, but it'll have to wait a couple of weeks.

I'll watch the two seasons of The Dick Van Dyke Show that arrived recently immediately thereafter to cheer me up.

[George Bellefontaine]

Dick Van Dyke and Mary, oh yeah, Keith that will cheer you up. That had to be one of the best situation comedy shows ever.

[Danbry39]

These young 'uns don't realize how many good sitcoms there were back then, right George? Not to mention the Westerns.

[George Bellefontaine]

Westerns like Have Gun Will Travel, The Bounty Hunter, Gunsmoke, Rawhide, The Rifleman, etc, etc, etc :T

[Dr C]

Agree with Keith that this is an excellent show. It's a thinking man's movie in that there are lots of seemingly sub plots which all come together in the end - not with a bang but just nicely gels in 1 piece.

What's the part you didn't quite figure out yet Keith ?

[Danbry39]

Thanks Dr C,

What I'm going to do is PM you because it would be too much of a spoiler to even post the question.

[John Holmes]

Well, now after seeing this film, I have to agree with several things that have been said about it.

1) It is a great film which, can be confusing as heck if you don't pay attention (as mentioned tons of sub-plots). And things do come together nicely in the end.

2) It's even more depressing than House of Sand and Fog (though imo House of Sand and Fog's acting drew you more into it's story)

3) It truly makes you think about the things in life many take for granted.

I too am wondering why so many films like this are hitting the big screen back to back.

This is another one of those "good to see once films". Not the type I'd want to see twice.

[Nick M]

Rented it.

I'm a fan of this type of film. Exploring situations and emotions like this really are what Dramas are all about. From the previews I thought this was going to be a mystery film similar to "DragonFly" (which I didn't like). I was very pleased with the storyline, casting, acting, and feel. I hope to buy it soon.

:35: out of :5: , very close to 4 stars.

[Foxman]

I havent watched House of Sand and Fog and knew nothing about it's plot, but after reading about the similarities I will have to at least rent it. I prefered Mystic River to 21 grams and can honestly say I knew nothing about either film when I purchased them. MR, was absolutly brutal because you knew what was going to hapen and that was a heart breaker. I think with both being pretty dark movies the main reason I prefered MR was because it didnt jump around. Strange though that I reason that because I normaly like that about a movie. These are both movies that I almost wish I had just rented simply because I am not sure I will watch them repeatedly due to the drama of them.

The acting in both are top shelf.

[will1066]

Both movies are pretty provocative, better than a lot of stuff going today. 21 Grams is very intoxicating the first time around, with all the jumping back and forth. They better not come up with a sequel called 22 Grams.