This Spanish-language drama is a thing of cinematic beauty. Director Alejandro G. Inarritu packs a powerful punch in this drama, painting a melancholic picture of coming to terms with the guilt defines the course of your life and learning to redeem yourself from the tragedy that threatens both your emotional and spiritual being. The Mexican filmmaker proves he has a gift in not only capturing a heartfelt story without resorting too heavily on pretentious craft, but breath life into the film from a powerful technical standpoint. And he makes the richly profound decision of handing the lead role to Spain-born actor Javier Bardem who stand as the true revelation of this tale. 'Biutiful' is not your average melodrama of a man trying to find his place in the world, it is something with a much deeper meaning than a by-the- numbers tear-jerker that straps you into an emotional roller coaster, though there are moments that dare leave your eyes watering. It is by no means a perfect picture as it does occasionally slip into the cracks of sentimental contrivances, but Inarritu's fashion on telling the story holds surprises that solidly outweigh the flaws. Set in Barcelona, this film follows Uxbal (played by Javier Bardem), a divorced father living on the crime- ridden streets where he resorts to underground crime including trading deals with two Chinese criminals to provide for his two children Mateo (played by Guillermo Estrella) and Ana (played by Hanaa Bouchaib). When he is diagnosed with terminal cancer that is set to end his life in a month, he find himself guided on a path of redemption as he attempts to make mends with his drug-addicted ex- wife Maramba (played by Maricel Alvaraz) to bring their back family together, while struggling to stray from the path of his criminal lifestyle.
This Spanish-speaking movie, shot beautifully by Rodrigo Prieto, is a slowburner and moves at a pace that requires a fair amount of patience to withstand its long 147-minute runtime. But those capable of relishing in the compounds of the story meet the privilege of witnessing the poetic beauty of the Inarritu's style of filmmaking as captures an unflinchingly powerful character study of a man who faces an awakening in his life. And the events that transpire bring a hefty hand on not only setting stone to powerful themes of guilt, grief, and redemption, but paint an absorbing portrait of how our choices can change a course in the lives our surrounding loved ones as well as ourselves. Lead character Uxbal is a man with an enormous heart but nonetheless is trapped with a conflict soul as he struggles to come to terms with his lifestyle that threatens to tear his already broken family apart completely. And who would possibly make a better choice in the role than Javier Bardem, the Spanish actor who garnered an Oscar for his sociopathic role in the Coen Brothers' 'No Country for Old Men'? Bardem breathes unflinching humanity in the role with a performance that falls nothing short of genuine gravitas. He nails his role in a fashion that allows him to flex his acting chops with incredible poignancy. Maricel Alvarez, playing his ex-wife slumped down on her crackpipe, is powerful in her role as well, playing the mother of her children who are forced to deal with her emotional abuse as a result of her unsavory habits. From Uxbal's relationship with his ex, to the relationship with his children, the family dynamics set stone to a poignant element that contributes to the depressing atmosphere of the story. Sure, there are moments of hope spliced throughout the proceedings, but nonetheless did little to lighten the jarring mood viewers will feel during the finale.
Biutiful is a rewarding, yet deeply heartrending experience with a beautiful slice of cinematic mastery to be witnessed from Alejandro G. Inarritu's craft. In an enormously wide range of foreign films, this one stands among a fair portion of others and carries a gift not many directors like Inarritu hold. Many will debate whether the film showcases the director's skills at his prime, but very few can argue the gravity he packs in.
This Spanish-speaking movie, shot beautifully by Rodrigo Prieto, is a slowburner and moves at a pace that requires a fair amount of patience to withstand its long 147-minute runtime. But those capable of relishing in the compounds of the story meet the privilege of witnessing the poetic beauty of the Inarritu's style of filmmaking as captures an unflinchingly powerful character study of a man who faces an awakening in his life. And the events that transpire bring a hefty hand on not only setting stone to powerful themes of guilt, grief, and redemption, but paint an absorbing portrait of how our choices can change a course in the lives our surrounding loved ones as well as ourselves. Lead character Uxbal is a man with an enormous heart but nonetheless is trapped with a conflict soul as he struggles to come to terms with his lifestyle that threatens to tear his already broken family apart completely. And who would possibly make a better choice in the role than Javier Bardem, the Spanish actor who garnered an Oscar for his sociopathic role in the Coen Brothers' 'No Country for Old Men'? Bardem breathes unflinching humanity in the role with a performance that falls nothing short of genuine gravitas. He nails his role in a fashion that allows him to flex his acting chops with incredible poignancy. Maricel Alvarez, playing his ex-wife slumped down on her crackpipe, is powerful in her role as well, playing the mother of her children who are forced to deal with her emotional abuse as a result of her unsavory habits. From Uxbal's relationship with his ex, to the relationship with his children, the family dynamics set stone to a poignant element that contributes to the depressing atmosphere of the story. Sure, there are moments of hope spliced throughout the proceedings, but nonetheless did little to lighten the jarring mood viewers will feel during the finale.
Biutiful is a rewarding, yet deeply heartrending experience with a beautiful slice of cinematic mastery to be witnessed from Alejandro G. Inarritu's craft. In an enormously wide range of foreign films, this one stands among a fair portion of others and carries a gift not many directors like Inarritu hold. Many will debate whether the film showcases the director's skills at his prime, but very few can argue the gravity he packs in.