21 Grams

2003 Drama

Mexican filmmaker Alejandro González Iñárritu makes his first English-language feature with the downbeat drama 21 Grams. Set in an unnamed U.S. urban center, the film uses a nonlinear structure to piece together the intertwined lives of three very different people. Paul (Sean Penn) is a math teacher with a heart problem and a troubled marriage to British wife Mary (Charlotte Gainsbourg). Christine (Naomi Watts) is a former drug addict who lives with her husband, Michael (Danny Huston), and her daughters. Jack (Benicio del Toro) is a born-again Christian with a wife (Melissa Leo) who has stood by him since his days as a criminal. Following a tragic accident, the three main characters are thrown into each other's lives. 21 Grams was shown in competition at the 2003 Venice International Film Festival.

Director: Alejandro González Iñárritu

Starring: Sean Penn, Naomi Watts, Benicio Del Toro, Charlotte Gainsbourg, Melissa Leo

 40 Reviews  35 Awards

Reviews

  • 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.

    A.O. Scott - The New York Times

    29 November 2012

  • Unstintingly explores and exposes excruciating pain, raw grief, ruinous vengeance and life-affirming resilience, creating human portraits that are uncommonly exhilarating in their honesty. This is cinematic art in its highest form.

    Claudia Puig - USA Today

    29 November 2012

  • What gives the film a formalist kick is that the story unfolds piecemeal as a series of nonlinear moments. What gives it soul are the three lead actors who pull the pieces together with devastating power.

    Manohla Dargis - Los Angeles Times

    29 November 2012

  • The movie itself is a miracle: tough, smart, relentless, provocative and, above all, serious.

    Stephen Hunter - The Washington Post

    29 November 2012

  • Mr. Penn has been praised lavishly for his work in "Mystic River," in a role that was no reach for him at all, but this is one of the stand-out performances of his career, layered and exquisitely nuanced. And, remarkably, he's only one-third of a stellar ensemble.

    Joe Morgenstern - The Wall Street Journal

    29 November 2012

Awards

  • Best Actor in a Supporting Role

    Academy Awards (2004)

     

  • Best Editing

    BAFTA Awards (2004)

     

  • Best Actress

    Boston Society of Film Critics Awards (2003)

  • Best Actress

    Broadcast Film Critics Association Awards (2004)

     

  • Best Casting for Feature Film, Drama

    Casting Society of America (2004)

     

Lists

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