"21 grams" United States (2003)

“21 grams” is an American film directed by the Mexican, Alejandro González Iñarritu. The screenwriter was Guillermo Arriaga who made with him two successful films more, “Babel” (2006) and, before that, “Amores perros” (2000). “21 grams” was nominated for Cesar, BAFTA, Oscar and some other awards, but it didn't get any of the big ones. “21 grams” refers to the weight we lose when we die, metaphorically the weight carried by those who survive us.

 

The film tells a story of hopelessness and frustration, death and survival that the three main characters are preparing to experience: Paul (Sean Penn), a seriously ill college professor, who is waiting for a heart transplant, while his wife hopes to become pregnant through artificial insemination; ex-con Jack Jordan (Benicio Del Toro), who is struggling in order to provide for his children while he tries to reaffirm his compromise to religion as a personal reborn; and Cristina (Naomi Watts), a seemingly conventional wife and mother to two little girls who hides a turbulent past and must suffer the loss of her family.

 

The plot is set when the lives of the three characters come together by an unexpected accident, which makes their destinies cross. Though the script seems extremely dramatic, and probably it's because of Iñarritu-Arriaga's Mexican background, the result is actually believable and awesome. I recommend seeing it.


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