Roger Ebert Gives Brad Pitt's Heartbreaking 2006 Drama on Prime Video a Perfect Score

When Alejandro Gonzlez Irritu released Babel in 2006, the late film critic Roger Ebert praised the movie for its ambitious storytelling, awarding it a perfect four-star rating. The film interweaves multiple international narratives to create a profound, interconnected experience.

Set across Morocco, the United States, Mexico, and Japan, Babel features Brad Pitt, Cate Blanchett, and Gael Garca Bernal in central roles. Ebert highlighted the films intricate structure, where seemingly separate stories gradually reveal their connections. For instance, Pitt and Blanchetts characters face a tragic event while vacationing in Morocco, while their children back in California encounter serious trouble under the care of their nanny. Susan, played by Blanchett, is critically injured, prompting Richard, Pitts character, to find a way to assist her.

Ebert lauded Irritus mastery of narrative technique, emphasizing the seamless editing and writing that links the stories with both emotional and logical clarity. He noted that the film invites viewers to empathize with every character, presenting their motives and struggles without creating simple heroes or villains. Ebert described this as Irritu at the height of his craft.

Babel received widespread acclaim from critics and the Academy, earning nominations for Best Picture and Best Director. It also serves as the concluding entry in Irritus Death Trilogy, written with Guillermo Arriaga.

The trilogy began with 2000s Amores perros, a Spanish-language film told in interlocking vignettes that converge around a central car accident. Gael Garca Bernal also plays a key role in this film. The second installment, 2003s 21 Grams, features Sean Penn, Naomi Watts, Benicio del Toro, Charlotte Gainsbourg, and Melissa Leo in another nonlinear story, linking themes of grief, guilt, and fate.

While Babel marked a high point in Irritus early career, the director continued to achieve critical success with later films. In 2014, he released Birdman, a dark comedy shot to appear as a single take, starring Michael Keaton, Emma Stone, Zach Galifianakis, Edward Norton, and Naomi Watts. The film won Best Picture at the 87th Academy Awards and earned Irritu his first Oscar for Best Director.

One year later, Irritu returned with The Revenant, a harrowing survival drama that finally earned Leonardo DiCaprio his long-awaited Oscar. While not winning Best Picture, the film secured Irritu his second consecutive Best Director award, joining John Ford and Joseph L. Mankiewicz as the only directors to win in back-to-back years.

For those wishing to explore Irritus remarkable work, Babel is available for streaming on Amazon Prime Video, offering a glimpse into why Roger Ebert considered it a cinematic triumph.

Author: Sophia Brooks