BIUTIFUL
wow.wow. WOW. I really can not wrap my head around this one. So periodically throughout the movie I choked up and shed a couple tears but once I digested the content and left the theater I had a hard time keeping it together. I began uncontrollable crying and was so worked up about what I had just witnessed. To say it simple the movie is so real. It covers a wide range of topics; immigration rights, broken families, psychological disorders, homosexuality, infidelity, racism, cancer, and just straight up human tragedy.
The main character, played by Javier Bardem, is a Jesus like figure as he takes on the responsibility and the well-being of everyone around him. Including his two adorable children, his bi-polar recovering alcoholic ex-wife, and the immigrants who have inhabited Barcelona whom he employs. Bardem helps Chinese immigrants find work in factories and construction sites and he helps African immigrants with their trade of selling fake purses. He not only fights for them so he can get paid but in order for his colleagues to receive fair wages and better work conditions.
The cinematography aspect of this film is also phenomenal. Filled with foreshadowing, modest hints, and a dynamic plot, the audience of this film is never bored visually or intellectually. The complexity of the characters and the issues in their lives is enough to make a viewer confused, but the issues are intertwined and embedded within the characters therefor the audience can effortlessly follow the plot. I am shocked this film did not receive one golden globe or academy award for best foreign film and Bardem for best actor. Bardem carries the film and completely embraces the father figure role he plays to all the primary characters. I declare this movie as my current favorite because of how rich it is visually, emotionally, and intellectually. This film will make you step back and recognize the corruption and pain that surrounds us and it may even inspire you to think differently about a lot of social issues. If you haven't seen it, DO IT, I promise it will be worth your while, or money back guaranteed!
Robinson, Elle