21 Grams - A hard, but rewarding watch

There are some films that you can watch while you do the ironing and still understand everything that is happening.  Other times you can pop out to make a cup of tea and still return to the film without missing anything important.  Those sorts of films have their place.  They’re easy-watching and won’t strain your brain. ’21 Grams’ is NOT one of those.

You have to pay attention here.  For the story of ’21 Grams’ is also NOT told in chronological order, therefore you will frequently see things that are at the end of a two-hour movie when you’re only ten minutes into the film.  I mention this now because most people who talk about ’21 Grams’ normally mention how well acted it is and how good the story is.  And, to be fair, I would agree on both those points.  The acting (from the three primary leads: Sean Penn, Naomi Watts and Benicio Del Toro) is as good as you would expect from three such stalwarts of modern cinema.  Plus the story, regarding how the said three leads are brought together from very different backgrounds/lives through one tragic event, is also told well.

However, the story and acting is second to how the film is told.  Like I said... it does get a little confusing sometimes.  It jumps from here to there and, not matter how much I like it (which is a lot!), I still have to be in the right mood to watch it.  If I’m in any way tired or not in the mood to really think about a film’s story, then I skip this film all together until I’m ready to appreciate it.

Basically, it’s a great drama, just told in a way that requires you to really concentrate.

Also, although the three leads I mentioned get much deserved praise for their acting, it’s also worth mentioning the three supporting actors (Eddie Marsan, Melissa Leo and Charlotte Gainsbourg) who all turn in equally compelling performances.

9/10 almost as perfect as The Godfather