Page 1 of 21 Grams...

Saw this today. I purposely didn`t read anything about this film (other than knowing it`s from the bloke who directed Amorres Perros). Anyway, I thought it was brilliant. It`s told from 3 people`s perspective, and we jump backwards and forwards in time constantly (although it`s only confusing to begin with, but everything clicks into place as it progresses). Sean Penn, Naomi Watts and Benicio Del Toro are all great in their roles.

Compared to Amorres Perros, 21 Grams is quite a hypnotic and sedate film. It`s powerful, but not overly so... if that makes any sense?

I enjoyed it. It may be dark, gritty, sad and, well, depressing, but I think you can pull a pretty positive message from it. Of course, thinking about it too much could put you in a bad mood (if you`ve seen it you`ll know what I mean).

Anyone else seen it?

Saw this today and I agree completely. The first 10-20 minutes are confusing and almost turned me off altogether. I`m glad I sticked with it though, because it`s utterly compelling and makes more and more sense the longer it goes on.

Definitely worth multiple viewings.

PS. Hasn`t Naomi Watts got a lovely rack! :D

I saw this film pryor to the Oscars, the acting is great for the three main characters.
I thought B. Del Toro and N. Watts deserved better luck on the day of the ceremony. Great film nonetheless.

I can`t wait to see it. :-)

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This film reminds me of Memento. Their stories aren`t actually very good, but the way they are told makes them brilliant pieces of work. Personally, I prefer Memento, but 21 Grams should be interesting on repeat viewings also.

I was going to order the R1 DVD soon, but it`s that kind of film that I might not want to watch unless I`m in the right kind of mood ;)

Just got back from seeing this...

It was superb - one of the best film`s of 2004 so far. Emotionally powerful, intense and supremely rewarding, the jigsaw-esque narrative flows perfectly with Iñárritu`s direction and the performances from the three leads.



I will definitely be seeing it again, although I think you should hold off with the R1 DVD - Universal pulled all the extras from it, days before release, suggesting that the R2 might be better equipped when it comes out (hopefully in the summer). However, if the wait is too long, I will definitely plump for the former. :)

One thing must be mentioned about the film:

SPOILER:
The erectness of Watts` nipples! :D


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Quote:
supremely rewardingDo you think? In what way? I didn`t feel rewarded for having watched the whole of the film; In fact I felt barely a thing. It`s emotionally involving in some respects - like the scenes dealing with Watt`s characters grief, and the sympathy you have for Del Toro - but I found it hard to become attached to the characters. I really didn`t care about Sean Penn`s character, even at the end of the film.

Don`t get me wrrong, I liked it, but it`s not the kind of thing I would buy on DVD being that I probably wouldn`t watch it again.

I thought the way the story was told was what made the film so interesting, and I thought all three leads were great in their roles; particularly Benicio Del Toro. I kind of worked out what was going on straight away, though my girlfriend was a little confused until I explained to her that it was three different perspectives.

Just because the way the story is told is in some ways like Memento`s I don`t think its fair to compare them; they`re both great in their own rights. But as a film I do prefer Memento - just because you never really know the truth over what happened; 21 Grams story is basically very straightforward, but just edited in a more unique way.

This item was edited on Sunday, 14th March 2004, 22:46

I think Memento is very simple once you`ve thought about it:

SPOILER:
Shelby killed his wife, accidentally, via an insulin overdose. The beating he took about the head that caused his mental problem was random, the guy who did it had no further involvement in his life. After killing his wife, he forgot that he did it, and presumed the guy did it - so he went off hunting for him. Ending up with Teddy, knowing that he didn`t kill her, he shot him and then deliberately wrote down that Teddy was the killer, so that when he forgot his knowledge that Teddy didn`t do it, he would read the note and think he did. Case closed.


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I think Memento is very simple once you`ve thought about itMaybe, but you still have to think about it don`t you? And anyway, that`s just your take on the story. ;)

I found it rewarding as we had just been on a journey with these characters, and if anything the story is about redemption:

SPOILER:
Watts is pregnant and Del Toro is home with his family. It`s only Penn who doesn`t get fully redeemed, although you could argue that death brings peace for him.


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