"This is a movie that can be shown in film schools 50 years from now as an artifact of three of our era's finest actors at the top of their games." Phil Villarreal ARIZONA DAILY STAR "It's one of those motion pictures that haunts your thoughts and won't let go." James Berardinelli REELVIEWS "Dripping with cinematic style." Joe Baltake SACRAMENTO BEE "Watts, who has the most difficult scenes, is splendidly mercurial; what's surprising is that those professional storm clouds Penn and Del Toro are here as powerfully restrained as she is electrifying." J Hoberman VILLAGE VOICE "The actors are magnificent. They unequivocally know who their characters are, inhabiting them so completely that you cease to remember these are actually actors, even stars." Carlo Cavagna ABOUTFILM.COM "This is a film that is ultimately driven by the performances of those involved and thankfully those performances are strong, engaging, and worth sitting through." Spence D IGN FILMFORCE

"This movie knocks you out with an astonishing blend of hyper-realism, visual complexity and powerful themes." Kirk Honeycutt HOLLYWOOD REPORTER "Tough, smart, relentless, provocative and, above all, serious." Stephen Hunter WASHINGTON POST "The performances by Sean Penn, Naomi Watts and Benicio Del Toro are raw, honest and well-deserving of the awards they have gathered." Cheryl DeWolfe APOLLO GUIDE "You won't come out unaffected, because the depths of intimacy that the Mexican director Alejandro González Iñárritu plumbs here are so rarely touched by filmmakers that 21 Grams is tantamount to the discovery of a new country." Elvis Mitchell NEW YORK TIMES "This may be the most brilliantly made movie of the year. But you don't enjoy 21 Grams, you recover from it." Bruce Newman SAN JOSE MERCURY NEWS

At A Glance

"Watching Penn and Del Toro [and, to a lesser extent, the actually young and actually beautiful Watts] navigate the recesses of these damaged, ambivalent characters ... is pretty much worth the price of admission." ..... Andrew O'Hehir SALON.COM

Bear with me folks while I make a point about reviewing film and the hype that sometimes accompanies particular performances in a film. One thing I can not be accussed of is being afraid to give a bad review to a film or make a 'statement' when I feel it is needed. And no, I'm not about to sink the boot into "21 Grams" for it is in fact a glorious example of cinema at its finest and I'm sure as hell pleased that I had the privilege to see. What I'd like to erase from the publics mind is the crap that goes hand in hand with some films [and in this case "21 Grams"], where they start this hype about one particular cast members abilities and the hype grows and grows until the public, suitably impressed by some of this bullshit they've been fed, rushes of to see a film like "21 Grams" or "Cold Mountain" for all the wrong reasons. Say, like going to see "Cold Mountain" because this is Nicole Kidman in another Academy Award winning performance. Or you have to see "21 Grams" because Naomi Watts is brilliant and it's an Academy Award winning performance. Give me a break. Naomi Watts is terrific in "21 Grams" but she was just as much fun [if I can use that word] to watch in "Le Divorce" which many of the critics canned so much that most of the cinema-going public never got a chance to see that Naomi is a bloody fine actress. But let me say this in regards to "21 Grams", Naomi Watts is not the be all and end all when it comes to "21 Grams". And can you just let me indulge myself here for just a few more words. I remember another actress who put in a fine performance in a film called "Unfaithful" who didn't get an Oscar. Perhaps when it comes to what is the best, the best is what is best recalled last. Diane Lane suffered the misfortune of having her film released too early in the season. In many ways her grand performance as Connie Sumner would have been better appreciated with a late release closer to the closing of nominations. What I'm getting at it here is that just about everyone, for one reason or another, has a short attention span [even critics] and sometimes what comes last, creates the most lasting memories. Don't agree? Well I guarantee you that if "Lord Of The Rings" had come out in February, and you surveyed a 100 people a week later asking them what "was the best film you've seen all year", 99% would say, "Lord Of The Rings".
So putting all the hype aside and getting down to the bare facts, how does "21 Grams" fare?. Very nicely thankyou. The whole cast, not just the three main actors, do a crackerjack job. Sean Penn once again puts in a truly workman-like professional as performance Paul Rivers a role that is the equal of his recent appearance as Jimmy Markum in "Mystic River". As for Naomi Watts, well I'm a big fan and I don't believe that this is the best she can give on the screen. Yes she puts in a spellbinding performance as Cristina, one which in terms of ability equals that of Penn's, but I think we are yet to see the best of Naomi Watts. Naomi has [in my humble opinion], so much more to give and I for one can't wait to see her establish herself in her own right, away from the shadow of Nicole Kidman. Unfortunately for both Penn and Watts, it is their co-star Benicio Del Toro who scoops them in "21 Grams". As in Traffic [which saw him receive an Academy Award], Benicio is powerful, convincing, intriguing and so understated on the screen [in comparison to all else that is being portrayed]. His role is the catalyst to the events which bring all three together and it requires something special, something Benicio delivers without a hitch. Another cast member who certainly deserves a mention for a fine performance is Melissa Leo as Jack Jordan's wife Marianne. In comparison to Watts screentime, Leo's is minimal, but every second she is on the screen is worth watching. As Marianne, Leo really does endear herself and garner much sympathy from the audience. But there is much more good news when it comes to "21 Grams". Those who appreciate a movie not just for the acting but also for its technical ability, will realize that a fair share of the credit for the appeal and success of "21 Grams" must go to those who work so hard behind the scenes. They are the film makers.
In my eye, what makes makes "21 Grams" so outstanding is the realistic feel to the way Cinematographer Rodrigo Prieto has shot the film. It's dark, grainy, intrusive, bleek, yet never shadowy images are decidely haunting. We all know a film is nothing without good direction and Alejandro González Iñárritu shows with "21 Grams" that his previous acclaimed feature "Amores perros", which won a BAFTA, New York FCCA and London FCCA awards along with awards at another 11 major film festivals and 13 Silver Ariel Awards, was no fluke. In the end though, what can make or break a film is how it is handles in the cutting room. To this end of the cause, Academy Award winning editor Stephen Mirrione has sliced and diced the endless metres of film into a smooth flowing film with nary a glitch to be seen. "21 Grams" will have its hands full competing for honours at the 2004 Academy Awards but what ever comes its way will be well deserved. It is a fine film. Finally I thought I might add a quote so that some people, who may have thought I was being harsh on Naomi Watts, get my drift regarding the talent yet to be unleashed by her. Here's what highly respected Academy Award nominee, critically acclaimed director Sean Penn had to say about Australian actress Naomi Watts. “I loved working with Naomi. Loved it. Loved it. Loved it. She’s spontaneous, smart, hugely talented, and totally devoted to her work. A bar raiser (and a bar raiser).” Cast & Crew Bytes Alejandro González Iñárritu
"One of the most important things in an actor is their interior life, and Benicio has a deep one. You can see a lot of things going on in him just by putting the camera in front of his face. By doing nothing, he speaks with his eyes and a lot of things are going on. He is a cinematic animal."
Naomi Watts
“We had a great rehearsal period. Benicio is fantastic and I respect his work. We both understood each other’s process; given the state of our characters, we didn’t hang out so much together.
Sean Penn
“Benicio is one of my favorite actors working today. He has so much weight and soul on-screen. He’s endlessly inventive, a gem.”
Benicio Del Toro
"When you’re working with actors like Sean Penn and Naomi Watts, it makes it easier for you. Seeing Sean and Naomi do scenes while I was off-camera was never dull. I was front row at a great show." Casting About "21 Grams" was directed by Alejandro González Iñárritu ["Amores perros" and "The Hire:Powder Keg"], co-produced by Robert Salerno ["Hudson River Blues", "All The Pretty Horses" and "Waking Up In Reno"] from the story by Guillermo Arriaga ["A Sweet Scent of Death", "Amores perros" and "The Hire:Powder Keg"]. The haunting scenes were filmed under the direction of Cinematographer Rodrigo Prieto ["Lady of the Night", "Say You Love Satan", "Frida", "8 Mile" and "25th Hour"] which were edited by Academy Awarding winning editor Stephen Mirrione ["Swingers", "Clockwatchers", "Go", "Ocean's Eleven" and "Confessions Of A Dangerous Mind"].
"21 Grams" stars Benicio Del Toro ["Licence To Kill", "Traffic", "The Usual Suspects", "The Indian Runner" and "The Pledge"], Naomi Watts ["Mulholland Drive", "The Ring", "Ned Kelly" and "Le Divorce"], Sean Penn ["Dead Man Walking", "I Am Sam", "Carlito's Way", "Loved" and "She's So Lovely"], Charlotte Gainsborough [Jane Eyre", "The Intruder", "Anna Oz" and "My Wife is an Actress"], Danny Huston ["Spanish Fly", "Timecode", "Eden" and "Hotel"], Clea DuVall ["Girl Interrupted", "The Astronaut's Wife", "She's All That" and "Identity"], John Rubinstein ["The Trouble with Girls", "The Boys From Brazil", "Another Stakeout" and "Red Dragon"], Eddie Marsan ["This Years Love", "Peaches", "The Bunker" and "Gangs Of New York"] as Reverand John and Melissa Leo ["A Time Of Destiny", "Streetwalkin", "The Ballad of Little Jo" and "From Other Worlds"] as Jack's wife Marrianne. The Story

"You won't come out unaffected, because the depths of intimacy that the Mexican director Alejandro González Iñárritu plumbs here are so rarely touched by filmmakers that 21 Grams is tantamount to the discovery of a new country." Elvis Mitchell NEW YORK TIMES

Told in flashbacks "21 Grams" is the story of three people. Of the people who love them. The people who support them. It is a tragic story of three lives, torn apart by one tragic accident. An accident that will reshape their very existence and take them to hell and back. Paul Rivers is awaiting a heart transplant. Ex con-man Jack Jordan has found religion. Cristina has come a long way after a reckless past. All three are loved. Two have families. Their souls will collide, their lives will be flung together, they will be changed forever. Who will survive? Can anyone? The Verdict "A strong powerful film filled with haunting moments, dour images of life at the edge of hell. Superb cast throughout convay every emotion to the audience. It's no easy journey, but I assure you, "21 Grams" is truly worth it. Penn is so professional, Watts gives another energy charged performance while Benicio Del Toro is outstanding. It will test your attention span at times but boy will "21 Grams" reward you. No hesitation in recommending this one. On sheer performance value alone, "21 Gram" should not be missed." The Cast

Sean Penn Naomi Watts Benicio Del Toro Charlotte Gainsbourg Melissa Leo Clea DuVall Danny Huston Carly Nahon Claire Pakis Nick Nichols John Rubinstein Eddie Marsan Loyd Keith Salter Antef A Harris Marc Thomas Musso

... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ...

Paul Rivers Cristina Peck Jack Jordan Mary Rivers Marianne Jordan Claudia Michael Cathy Laura Boy Gynecologist Reverend John Fat Man Basketball Guy Freddy

The Crew Directed by Alejandro González Iñárritu Story by Guillermo Arriaga Written by Alejandro González Iñárritu in collaboration with Guillermo Arriaga Produced by Alejandro González Iñárritu and Robert Salerno Original Music by Gustavo Santaolalla Cinematography by Rodrigo Prieto Film Editing by Stephen Mirrione Casting by Francine Maisler Production Design by Brigitte Broch Art Direction by Deborah Riley Set Decoration by Meg Everist Costume Design by Marlene Stewart Makeup Department Gloria Belz Production Manager Diane L Sabatini Run Time 124 minutes Rated M15+ [AUST] Copyright ©2004 - Focus Features - All Rights Reserved Copyright © 2004 - Impact Internet Services - All Rights Reserved