Sean, Benicio, and Naomi turn in Oscar deserving performances in a screenplay that reveals itself little by little in a scrambled fashion. This film's disdain for chronological storytelling makes it all the more compelling and in fact brilliant! I know of people that saw the film who had no clue what happened but I was moved by the unorthodox screenplay and entranced throughout. Do we lose 21 grams of mass at the moment of death and is that 21 grams our soul? Does our soul continue on? I can't know, who can know, but it's intriguing to theorize and discuss. I rather like the idea that our souls do survive then inhabit some other life form (reincarnate souls is a comforting thought), but I've been knocked cold for a prolonged period of time and I can tell you from that experience the only thing I experienced was no experience at all! However I've had other experiences that convince me malevolent other world forces are at work which suggests there is other worldly good forces as well. God and Satan as an antagonist duality or one in the same? Don't the Freemasons believe God and Satan are one? By the way this is an amazing film!

Alejandro González Iñárritu to me is an immensely talented director, with not a bad film (from personal opinion) in his filmography. Some films are better than others, 'Babel' to me is his weakest though still very good, but even when Iñárritu is not at his best he is still significantly better than many directors at their best and worst.It is easy to see why '21 Grams' won't appeal to everybody. It is not an easy watch and there are many other films that have better replay value, but it is still a fine film, with so many great things, that both challenges and rewards those who love the film. '21 Grams' has a non-linear structure that can feel fragmented, and there are a couple of parts that are not as clear as it could have been and cause a little confusion. The ending also could have been better rounded off.'21 Grams', as always with Iñárritu is a visual and technical marvel, with photography that's gritty, atmospheric, beautiful and intimate, clever editing and striking scenery. Iñárritu's direction is exemplary, with a breath taking vision, mastery of mood and taking risks and not holding back. The music is not amazing but it fits well.The script in '21 Grams' is tense, poignant and thought-provoking, while most of the story is thematically and dramatically gripping with plenty of intensity and emotional impact as well as a suitably bleak tone. The characters are compellingly real.Have nothing but praise for the acting, which is some of the best acting of that year. Sean Penn is splendid in one of his best performances, while Naomi Watts' performance is very close to a career-best. Best of all is Benico Del Toro who really gets into the complex meat of his character, an intense and moving performance that in no way falls into hamminess. Melissa Leo and Charlotte Gainsburg are fine too if not in the same league as the three leads.Overall, challenging but rewarding. 9/10 Bethany Cox

After Inarritu had blown me away with Birdman I had to see this one. Birdman is abstract - you can interpret it one way or the other. 21 Grams is super realistic. Nothing in this movie hides life's brutality; every detail only reinforces it. You don't have to putter with 21 Grams even though the story is told in a non-linear fashion. There are no hidden narratives or elements which may distract you from understanding the main plot. You've completely missed this movies point if you think otherwise.Acting is superb. If it wasn't, this movie would rate lower. You can almost read from protagonists faces how they reflect and respond to issues life throws at them. That's why noticing for example how Jacks home interior is designed can make you understand his mindset better.Non-linearity has a double function I believe. First is that it emphasizes how life can unfold in ways nobody could ever anticipate. Viewer can understand that better than any character in the movie because viewer sees how everybody had to respond in order to lead to the final effect. Non-linearity elevates you over protagonists and over time itself.Second is that it makes more vivid what every protagonist had to go through internally. For example: first you see a healthy character but you don't know what happened prior to this. You create a certain picture about him or her. Then you become familiar with what happened before. Put in that perspective you know how it will end but don't know what ways will a character choose. After it all plays in front of your eyes you'll probably realize that you had your prejudices which always blur our sight and ability to empathy.21 Grams is hard to watch and sometimes even scary. But it thought me two important lessons: don't be quick to judge and stay away from immediate pleasure. Hope you get a good lesson from it as well.

Alejandro González Iñárritu's 2003 drama hits the heart and examines world where death has infected the lives of three people, who are all connected to each other.As part of Iñárritu's death trilogy, 21 Grams is most certainly not a barrel of laughs, but a hard hitting emotional depiction of death. Also shot in the very appropriate visual presence of Rodrigo Prieto, the film is made up of a saddening and deep expression Exploring the lives of 3 individuals: Paul Rivers (Sean Penn), Cristina Peck (Naomi Watts), and Jack Jordan ( Benicio Del Toro) who all get affecting by the same tragic car accident that brings massive change into their lives and leads them down dark depressing roads. Rivers is an ill mathematician who needs an organ transplant and struggles to maintain a healthy relationship with his wife. Peck lives a peaceful life, until her husband and children die in a terrible car accident. Jordan is an ex convict seeking salvation in the Lord Jesus, but gets sent down hill when he gets involved in a terrible ordeal.What is at the center of 21 Grams is the powerful consistent performance of the three lead cast members pulling all their weight to carry the dark tone of the film. Watts particularly shines as the struggling widower and breaks all our hearts through the soul stirring portrayal that deserved her an Oscar nomination. Del Toro also brings a very convincing character of the broken man and his desperation to be forgiven by God, which also gave him a nomination at the Academy.Bottom line is that this is not an uplifting film, but a spiritual journey into grief and what life leaves us when death enters the world. Still more is to be discovered further in Iñárritu's Babel and Amores perros. What only flaws the film is its non-linear display which I think does very little to the structure and would work just as effectively without it.Not a cheery film for a Friday night, more of your Monday Morning film, but a very sophisticated and sad piece of work. 9.2/10