Film

What's on at the cinema plus reviews of the latest movie and DVD releases

Search cinema listings

Browse cinemas A-Z

Search 20,000 reviews

 

  • Print this page
  • Send to a friend

'Babel' closes the LFF

Gael García Bernal and Alejandro González Iñárritu attend the gala screening of their powerful new film.

Nov  3 2006

The 50th Times bfi London Film Festival drew to a close last night with a screening of Alejandro González Iñárritus epic 'Babel'.

The film was preceded by a series of dull speeches and awards, though it was good to see 'Red Road' director Andrea Arnold and 'This Is England' producer Mark Herbert both receiving honours for their sterling work.

Iñárritu then took to the stage to introduce his film, passionately explaining that 'Babel' is the third part in a trilogy ('Amores Perros' and '21 Grams' being parts one and two) about the complex relationship between parents and children. He also thanked all the English actors who worked on the production and said that the experience of making the films had transformed him as a person.

The film's star Gael García Bernal then joined him on stage and the pair formed something of a comedy double act, which was very funny but hardly set the tone for what was to follow.

'Babel' is the director's most beautiful, ambitious and heart-wrenching picture yet. Set in Morocco, Mexico and Tokyo, the film brilliantly interweaves four complex stories of mishap, tragedy and misunderstanding to devastating effect.

Brad Pitt gives his best performance in years as an American tourist failing to connect with his wife (Cate Blanchett) while Adriana Bazzara is a revelation as a put upon nanny and Rinko Kikuchi gives a star-making performance as a deaf schoolgirl.

It's a punishing watch, and one of the story strains seems a little irrelevant at times, but overall 'Babel' is a triumphant end to Iñárritu's remarkable trilogy – bold, courageous filmmaking from a truly significant director.

The audience then decamped to Floridita for the closing party where the dancefloor heaved, the champagne flowed freely and the Mexicans held court in the VIP area. A lovely night, it concluded what has been a wonderful festival, worthy of the event's 50th anniversary. Personal highlights include watching the brilliant 'This Is England', speaking to the irrepressible Paul Verhoeven and being kissed by Borat. Now I plan to sleep for the next year so I'm fully refreshed for 51!


  • Print this page
  • Send to a friend

User comments on this story

  • Christine Hopps said...
    Though I must admit that the film Babel is well-crafted and the plot finely organised, I did not enjoy this film. As a canadian that has lived in Morocco for the last five years, I found the portral of Moroccans as violent (and stupid) and Morocco as wrought with political unrest completely unrealistic and even socially irresponsible. I have travelled to the region (near Arfoud) where the moroccan scenes take place and where I was very warmly recieved. In fact, I'm returning soon to celebrate the holidays. Posted on Dec 10 2006 22:31
    Report as inappropriate

What do you think?
Post your comment now

*mandatory fields





Top Stories

Hippies who work for The Man

Hippies who work for The Man

To celebrate George Clooney comedy 'The Men who Stare at Goats', we look back at six memorable onscreen hippies who fought the system from within

Roland Emmerich's guide to disaster movies

Roland Emmerich's guide to disaster movies

Ahead of the release of '2012', Roland Emmerich offers his ten tips on creating the perfect global catastrophe

Grant Heslov: interview

Grant Heslov: interview

Grant Heslov, director of 'The Men who Stare at Goats' talks about his old pal George Clooney, his interest in the paranormal, and his fond memories of working on 'Happy Days'

The Coen brothers discuss 'A Serious Man'

The Coen brothers discuss 'A Serious Man'

Masters of contrary comedy, Joel and Ethan Coen have struck gold again with their latest, ‘A Serious Man’

Ten inspirations behind 'Avatar'?

Ten inspirations behind 'Avatar'?

Time Out ponders the influences behind James Cameron's anticipated space-opera on the basis of the trailer

Michael Jackson's This Is It: review

Michael Jackson's This Is It: review

Kenny Ortega's posthumous concert film is a rousing eulogy for one of pop's great enigmas

Michael Haneke: The man behind the menace

Michael Haneke: The man behind the menace

From Cannes to Munich to London, Dave Calhoun tours Michael Haneke's Palme d'Or winner, 'The White Ribbon'

Lone Scherfig talks 'An Education'

Lone Scherfig talks 'An Education'

Danish director Lone Scherfig was an unlikely choice for a very English affair like 'An Education'. Cath Clarke meets her

How Jane Campion brought John Keats back to life

How Jane Campion brought John Keats back to life

Time Out gets Romantic with the ‘difficult’ New Zealander about her new film, 'Bright Star'

Time Out's 50 greatest animated films with commentary by Terry Gilliam

Time Out's 50 greatest animated films with commentary by Terry Gilliam

In celebration of the release of Pixar's 'Up' and Wes Anderson's 'Fantastic Mr Fox', read our rundown of fifty classic feature length animations