21 Grams
21 Grams features an ensemble cast where the performances of Sean Penn, Naomi
Watts,
and Benicio Del Toro were riveting.
The story revolves around three strangers, who coincidentally meet. Each one
is individually dealing with personal hardships.
Paul Rivers (Penn) is gravely ill and needs a heart transplant. He barely lives
as he waits for the call that will forever change his life and
that of his wife Mary (Charlotte Gainsbourg), whose main ambition is to have
Paul's baby through artificial insemination, regardless of the heavy issues in
their marriage.
Cristina Peck (Watts), a woman who once had severe drug additions and a bleak
future, turned her life around with the help of a man named Michael (Danny
Huston), who later became the love of her life and father of her two beautiful
girls. Happily married, Cristina
believes she truly has it all, and is grateful for every moment of her life. As
the story goes, that all changed one day, when her husband and two daughters
were struck by a car and killed.
Jack Jordan (Benicio Del Toro) an ex-con, now rebuilding his life centered
around religion and a unconventional family up bringing, has his wife
Marianne (Melissa Leo) wondering if it is really the best path for him and
their family to be on. And when Jack kills three people while driving drunk,
there is much soul searching and agony clouding his brain.
Knowing that nothing will ever bring back her family or even make it any
easier, Cristina chooses not to press charges again Jack. She instead,
gives permission to the hospital to donate her husband's heart.
As Paul lies dying in his bedroom, the hospital calls with news that Paul
will be getting his heart transplant. Paul is as troubled by, as he is
curious on who the donor is. Once he finds out, he becomes consumed by
leaning more about Cristina and who it was that took her family away from her.
The story deepens and becomes more painful. Worlds are colliding, beliefs
once strong and held high are collapsing, sinking into a black hole of
loss, shattered by every breath that is taken.
Watts received an Oscar nomination for Best Actress and Del Toro was nomiated for Best
Supporting Actor.
Penn certainly was one of the top contenders to be nominated for an Oscar in
2004. With two powerful performances he was nominated and won for Mystic River.
21 Grams is an intelligent, sensitive, emotionally rousing movie where life
is bitterly precious and so susceptible to all of life's joys and heartaches.
The way one appreciates and deals with it all is as unique as the soul inside
you.
The DVD extras are simple, comes in Widescreen and with Subtitles. But the
movie is absolutely stunning!
Written by: Lynda Dale MacLean
Reviewers Rating: 8.5
Reader's Rating: 9.80
Reader's Votes: 5
Added: 4-May-2004
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