Babel

A very well made movie that tells the story of four different families in different parts of the world. What's the connection?

Babel was nominated for a Best Picture Academy Award, which (deservedly) went to The Departed instead. Perhaps because of that nomination, I think I was expecting something more from the film.

Technically it is flawless. Cinematography, art direction, makeup, and editing are all excellent. The score is intimate and elegiac, and represents the film's lone Oscar win. The acting is above par, especially from Adriana Barraza and Rinko Kikuchi, both of whom got nominated for a Best Supporting Actress Oscar. The screenplay is good and so is the direction. So what's missing?

I'm not sure. Maybe I just didn't find some of the different storylines that interesting or exciting. Maybe I just didn't feel that invested in any of the characters (except, perhaps for the Japanese girl or the Mexican lady). Or maybe because in the end the connecting thread among some parts of the movie (like the Morocco-Japan one) wasn't strong enough to hold up.

In any case, the movie is good, I just felt underwhelmed when it was over. I guess I simply had too high expectations.

Grade: 7