Babel

UK Release Date. 19 January 2007
Certification. 15
Running Time. 2 hours 23 mins
Director. Alejandro G. Iñárritu
Cast. Mohamed Akhzam, Adriana Barraza, Gael Garcia Bernal, Cate Blanchett, Rinko Kikuchi, Brad Pitt, Kôji Yakusho. 
Rating. 80%

Review.

Babel is purportedly the final instalment of Alejandro González Iñárritu's stylistic 'death trilogy' comprising of Amores Perros and 21 Grams. As with 21 Grams, Babel is presented as a multi-narrative puzzle, with storylines and set pieces taking place over the course of a couple of days. The story intercuts between Japan, Mexico, Morocco and the United States as global connections become apparent between the seemingly random events.

One of the strengths of Babel is the director, Alejandro González Iñárritu's ability to convey issues of global significance while still presenting vivid, well-defined, characters, whose personal problems are compelling and still retain the audience's interest. The director has gathered an impressive ensemble cast from around the globe - the likes of Mohamed Akhzam, Adriana Barraza, Gael Garcia Bernal, Cate Blanchett, Brad Pitt and Kôji Yakusho. 

Despite this august array of illustrious talent, it is the young, relatively unknown actress Rinko Kikuchi that steals the show in perhaps the most poignant and personal storyline in Babel. Kikuchi plays Chieko, a deaf-mute teenager from Tokyo, Japan. Her mother committed suicide and it would appear that her father (Kôji Yakusho) is a cold and distant figure. Devoid of affection, Chieko engages in a series of increasingly daring sexual escapades. Kikuchi's performance is haunting, heartbreaking and certainly the most affecting. An eerily silent set piece juxtaposed with the euphoric beat and pulsating strobe lighting of a Tokyo nightclub conveys Chieko's perspective, as she struggles to come to terms with rejection.

Alejandro González Iñárritu has created a beautiful piece of work, the cinematography, at times, is stunning. Released to widespread critical acclaim, Babel was nominated for seven Academy Awards in 2007, yet only garnered the Academy Award for Best Original Score.

Babel is an intriguing piece of cinema. Complex, yet not mystifying, the film remains a substantive examination of the themes of globalisation, cultural differences and miscommunication. Above all, Babel reminds the audience that we are powerless to control many of the critical events that affect our lives.