As "Bardo, False Chronicle of a Handful of Truths" (2022 release from Mexico; 159 min) opens, we are introduced to Silverio, a documentarian who is returning to Mexico for the first time in decades. Along the way, his wife delivers a baby but the baby refuses and goes bank into the womb (no, really). It appears Sliverio has a difficlut time adjusting to being back in Mexico (and that would be the understatement of the year). At this point we are 10 minutes into the movie.
Couple of comments: this is the latest oeuvre (don't just call it a movie) from Mexican writer-producer-composer-editor-director Alejandro G. Iñárritu. Let me add right away that I've seen ALL previous 6 of his films, and I loved them all, each one more than the other (including Birdman; The Revenant; 21 Grams). So I went into see "Bardo" with high expectations, and then was massively disappointed with what I saw. The movie made zero sense to me, none. It is not a "black comedy", it is not a "drama". In fact I've no idea what this is, other than a deeply personal and frankly narcissistic exercise. But not all is lost: the photography is outstanding (including numerous longshots), as is the score (yes, also by Inarritu). But that is not nearly enough to save this massively beautiful mess, but still a massive mess. There is god reason why "Bardo" is the lowest rated movie ever in Inarritu's career (currently only 58% fresh on Rotten Tomatoes).
"Bardo" premiered at the Venice Film Festival in early September to decidedly mixed reaction. After a short US theatrical run, it started streaming on Netflix last week. I just saw it last night. For those that reviewed this mess with an 8/10 or higher, good for you I suppose. I cannot in good conscience recommend this film to anyone, sorry. Of course don't take my word for it, so check it out and draw your own conclusion.
Couple of comments: this is the latest oeuvre (don't just call it a movie) from Mexican writer-producer-composer-editor-director Alejandro G. Iñárritu. Let me add right away that I've seen ALL previous 6 of his films, and I loved them all, each one more than the other (including Birdman; The Revenant; 21 Grams). So I went into see "Bardo" with high expectations, and then was massively disappointed with what I saw. The movie made zero sense to me, none. It is not a "black comedy", it is not a "drama". In fact I've no idea what this is, other than a deeply personal and frankly narcissistic exercise. But not all is lost: the photography is outstanding (including numerous longshots), as is the score (yes, also by Inarritu). But that is not nearly enough to save this massively beautiful mess, but still a massive mess. There is god reason why "Bardo" is the lowest rated movie ever in Inarritu's career (currently only 58% fresh on Rotten Tomatoes).
"Bardo" premiered at the Venice Film Festival in early September to decidedly mixed reaction. After a short US theatrical run, it started streaming on Netflix last week. I just saw it last night. For those that reviewed this mess with an 8/10 or higher, good for you I suppose. I cannot in good conscience recommend this film to anyone, sorry. Of course don't take my word for it, so check it out and draw your own conclusion.