In his short career, Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu has already made 2 great films. Amores Perros is a masterpiece, 21 Grams is not far behind. His third film, Babel on the other hand, was patchy by his standards.
So naturally, I couldn't wait to see his new film, Biutiful. Javier Bardem is the lead, an actor at the height of his powers and a personal favourite since I watched him in the outrageous 'Jamon Jamon'. Bardem is Uxbal, a middle-aged single father operating anonymously in Barcelona's underworld. Among many questionable practices, he buys fake handbags and trinkets from a Chinese-run sweatshop, and supplies the items to illegal African immigrants to sell to unsuspecting tourists.
Uxbal also has an unusual sideline; earning money for his supernatural gift – talking to the recently departed so they can pass on to the afterlife peacefully.
So far, so little to like about Uxbal. But there is a real sensitivity to him. He is devoted to his two children, and has custody of them due to his ex-wife (played by Marciel Alvarez) habitually wreaking havoc due to her bipolar condition.
Then Uxbal is diagnosed with terminal cancer, and given perhaps two months to live. He is forced to reflect on his life as he tries to make amends and prepare for his imminent death. But for all his efforts, his already grim existence just gets worse.
Biutiful certainly is gritty, and you wouldn't believe this is the same Barcelona that Bardem recently acted in Woody Allen's exuberant 'Vicky Cristina Barcelona'. For Uxbal and everyone in this film, Barcelona is a hollow, depressing place to live. Socio-political comparisons can be drawn with Stephen Frears fine film 'Dirty Pretty Things', showing the side of London most filmgoers wouldn't imagine, not least the abuse of illegal immigrants.
Javier Bardem is flawless, a deeply soulful, frail performance that carries the movie from the moment he appears on screen. Marciel Alvarez also excels as Uxbal's ex-wife, and stands out from a high quality cast. The ever dependable Gustavo Santaolalla's haunting music captures the essence of the film.
Biutiful is at times manipulative and contrived, and certainly over-reaches by the end. Uxbal's last few days were too much to handle; you actually wished for a quick death in order to relieve himself of the sheer number of problems and issues he has to deal with, many of which i haven't mentioned in this review.
Death has been a constant theme in all of Inarritu's films, Biutiful is no exception. By far his most intricate film, not least due to a mostly linear narrative compared to Inarritu's previous multi-layered outings. As uncomfortable viewing as it is, Biutiful is a rewarding film, and Bardem's emotional range is astonishing.
So naturally, I couldn't wait to see his new film, Biutiful. Javier Bardem is the lead, an actor at the height of his powers and a personal favourite since I watched him in the outrageous 'Jamon Jamon'. Bardem is Uxbal, a middle-aged single father operating anonymously in Barcelona's underworld. Among many questionable practices, he buys fake handbags and trinkets from a Chinese-run sweatshop, and supplies the items to illegal African immigrants to sell to unsuspecting tourists.
Uxbal also has an unusual sideline; earning money for his supernatural gift – talking to the recently departed so they can pass on to the afterlife peacefully.
So far, so little to like about Uxbal. But there is a real sensitivity to him. He is devoted to his two children, and has custody of them due to his ex-wife (played by Marciel Alvarez) habitually wreaking havoc due to her bipolar condition.
Then Uxbal is diagnosed with terminal cancer, and given perhaps two months to live. He is forced to reflect on his life as he tries to make amends and prepare for his imminent death. But for all his efforts, his already grim existence just gets worse.
Biutiful certainly is gritty, and you wouldn't believe this is the same Barcelona that Bardem recently acted in Woody Allen's exuberant 'Vicky Cristina Barcelona'. For Uxbal and everyone in this film, Barcelona is a hollow, depressing place to live. Socio-political comparisons can be drawn with Stephen Frears fine film 'Dirty Pretty Things', showing the side of London most filmgoers wouldn't imagine, not least the abuse of illegal immigrants.
Javier Bardem is flawless, a deeply soulful, frail performance that carries the movie from the moment he appears on screen. Marciel Alvarez also excels as Uxbal's ex-wife, and stands out from a high quality cast. The ever dependable Gustavo Santaolalla's haunting music captures the essence of the film.
Biutiful is at times manipulative and contrived, and certainly over-reaches by the end. Uxbal's last few days were too much to handle; you actually wished for a quick death in order to relieve himself of the sheer number of problems and issues he has to deal with, many of which i haven't mentioned in this review.
Death has been a constant theme in all of Inarritu's films, Biutiful is no exception. By far his most intricate film, not least due to a mostly linear narrative compared to Inarritu's previous multi-layered outings. As uncomfortable viewing as it is, Biutiful is a rewarding film, and Bardem's emotional range is astonishing.