For a second, I pondered at the title of this post. But it’s kind of true I thought. When we have problems, we tackle them. In doing so, the problem fights back. And it all last until either the problem won or we.
Ok, it’s confusing right? Never mind me, I’m being random here. LOL.
So I watched “21 Grams” on one of the nights in early March. I feel like sharing it here because it’s a FANTASTIC script, ace actors and great storytelling. Ever heard of it? Or watched it before? I bet majority may not have because it’s a R-Rated film back in 2003. Not because it’s filled with porn, in fact there’s only one scene of full nudity in the whole movie. Personally, I think it’s much needed for the film because it was at a point of emotional core for the two characters involved.
Basically, it’s an incredible film about mainly three characters and how their lives intertwine each other’s through an unfortunate accident. I really loved the way this movie was told and that’s what makes it unique. Presented in a non-linear arrangement, the movie jumps forward to the future and then suddenly, backwards to tell the past of the characters- all at different/random points during the movie. It sounds complicating, but I feel this was what made the movie amazing and special. It’s one of those that’s unforgettable, unlike erm..”The Hottie and the Nottie” ? Erm, Paris Hilton’s movies kind of ends up nowhere. LOL.
Back to “21 Grams”, it stars Sean Penn, what an amazing actor I have to say! Did anyone watched Mystic River?? Another great acting by Penn himself. He won the Oscar Best Actor for it. Naomi Watts, fellow Aussie of Nicole Kidman, along with Benicio Del Toro stars in “21 Grams”. Alright, I’ll just use the actors’ names since their characters’ names can be confusing.
Story follows them three, beginning with Penn as a critically ill man with heart failure, on the verge of death. Watts lives the typical life of an American family with two daughters and her husband. Del Toro appears as a man with a troubled-past-turned-faithful Jesus Christ follower. He too, has a wife plus a son & daughter.
What happened next is unpredictable. Del Toro was driving home to his birthday bash when, unfortunately, he ran over Watts’ husband and their two daughters. He didn’t stop but drove away in fear despite one of the little girl who stared at him after being knocked down, wanting to tell him something during her final breath. All the victims died. It was shocking in a way because the movie like I said, is revealed in a non-linear manner, thus we wouldn’t know that it was Del Toro who ran over them until later towards the ending part. Ironically, Penn received the heart of Watts’ dead husband. He found out later and decided to thank Watts personally. The movie delves towards the tough and emotional subject when both got romantically involved after their meeting, while Del Toro started to go into the dark side or rather stuck in a world of confusion/guilt.
To prevent from being spoilers, you guys can go watch it online now. Although it’s a 2003 movie, I felt compelled to share it with the class.
Here’s the promising trailer:
What I learnt this week during Storytelling- roles of conflict: Man vs Man, Man vs Environment, Man vs Himself, is completely relevant to this movie. All three aspects are covered in the movie, which of course makes it a great one! Man vs man: Watts wanting revenge against Del Toro and Penn vs Del Toro when he tries to kill Del Toro for revenge on behalf of Watts.
Man vs Environment: Penn struggling with his existence in the hospital and his condition, Watts trying to refresh her new life (which she failed to) in a new environment after her family’s death, Del Toro questioning his faith in Christ while being held in prison after turning himself in for the accident.
Man vs himself: All three characters. Because they each have to go through their own turmoil of: an illness and a new chance to live (Penn), an unexpected life-changing tragedy (Watts) and a life-haunting mistake (Del Toro).
Best movie I’d watched so far this year- 4/5 stars.
