Alejandro González Iñárritu’s “Babel” and the Evolution of a Master Filmmaker
Table of Contents
Roger Ebert, the celebrated film critic who passed away in 2013, awarded Alejandro gonzález Iñárritu’s 2006 film “Babel” a perfect four-star rating, praising its intricate narrative woven through interconnected international stories. The film, starring Brad Pitt, Cate Blanchett, and Gael GarcÃa Bernal, explores themes of communication, misunderstanding, and the consequences of global interconnectedness. ebert highlighted Iñárritu’s ability to move between seemingly disparate narratives with “full logical and emotional clarity,” emphasizing that “Babel” avoids simplistic portrayals of heroes and villains, instead inviting viewers to empathize with all its characters. He wrote, “‘Babel’ finds Iñárritu in full command of his technique…they all have their reasons, they all work with only limited information, they all win our sympathy.” The film garnered critical acclaim and Academy Award nominations for both Best Picture and Best Director, signaling its impact on the cinematic landscape.
However,few at the time realized “Babel” was the culmination of a thematic trilogy.
The “Death Trilogy”: A Dark and Interconnected Vision
“Babel” is the final installment in what is known as the “Death trilogy,” a series of films created by Iñárritu and screenwriter Guillermo Arriaga. The trilogy began in 2000 with “Amores perros,” a Spanish-language film that, like “Babel,” utilizes a fragmented narrative structure. The film centers around a tragic car crash and explores the lives of those connected to it – from those searching for a lost dog to individuals involved in illicit affairs and even assassins.Gael GarcÃa Bernal also plays a key role in “amores perros,” foreshadowing his significant presence in “Babel.”
The trilogy continued in 2003 with “21 Grams,” starring Sean Penn, Naomi Watts, Benicio del Toro, Charlotte Gainsbourg, and Melissa Leo. This nonlinear tale delves into themes of addiction, accidental death, and karmic retribution, connecting characters through a devastating hit-and-run accident. Both “Amores perros” and “21 Grams” are powerful, albeit dark, films that offer a deeper understanding of Iñárritu’s early artistic vision. viewers should be aware of potential trigger warnings, as these films explore challenging and disturbing subject matter.
From Critical Darling to Oscar Winner: Iñárritu’s Ascent
While Ebert considered “Babel” Iñárritu’s strongest work to that point, the director would soon reach even greater heights. In 2014, Iñárritu released “Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance),” a darkly comedic and technically innovative film presented as a single, unbroken take. Starring michael Keaton, Emma Stone, Zach Galifianakis, Edward Norton, and Naomi Watts (reuniting with the director after “21 Grams”), “Birdman” captivated audiences and critics alike. The film ultimately won best Picture at the 87th Academy Awards in 2015,and earned Iñárritu his first Oscar for Best Director.Some have even noted a possible influence of the film’s unique style on an episode of the television series “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia.”
Just one year later, Iñárritu followed up with “The Revenant,” a brutal and visually stunning survival epic starring Leonardo DiCaprio. the film finally earned DiCaprio his long-awaited Academy Award, and secured Iñárritu a second consecutive Best Director Oscar – a feat achieved by only two other filmmakers in Oscar history: John Ford and Joseph L. mankiewicz.
For those interested in exploring Iñárritu’s work, “Babel” is currently streaming on Amazon Prime Video, offering a compelling entry point into the career of a truly visionary filmmaker and a chance to understand why Ebert considered it a masterpiece.
