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21 Grams

Actor(s): Sean Penn, Benicio Del Toro, Naomi Watts, Charlotte Gainsbourg, Melissa Leo
Director(s): Alejandro Gonz�lez I��rritu
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Movie Details

MPAA Rating: R
Content Advisory: Violence, Nudity, Adult Situations, Strong Sexual Content, Not For Children, Profanity, Substance Abuse
Movie Release: 2003
DVD Release: 03/16/2004
Format: DVD - Enhanced Wide Screen Letterbox for 16x9 TV - Closed Captioned
Edition: Dual Layered
Audio Tracks: English, French
Subtitles: French, Spanish
SwapaDVD Credits: 1
Number of Discs: 1
Run Time: 2 hrs 5 mins
Studio: Universal Studios
Total Copies: 54
Genres: Drama, Psychological Drama, Ensemble Film
See Also: 21 Grams [Collector's Edition], 21 Grams [Collector's Limited Edition], 21 Grams, 21 Grams [Collector's Edition], 21 Grams [Blu-ray]

DVD Synopsis

Mexican filmmaker Alejandro Gonz�lez I��rritu 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. ~ Andrea LeVasseur, All Movie Guide

Actors

Sean Penn - Paul
Benicio Del Toro - Jack
Naomi Watts - Christine
Charlotte Gainsbourg - Mary
Melissa Leo - Marianne

Editorial Review of DVD

Alejandro Gonz�lez I��rritu's sophomore effort, 21 Grams, comes to DVD with a widescreen anamorphic transfer that preserves the original theatrical aspect ratio of 1.85:1. The grainy yet striking cinematography by Rodrigo Prieto is rendered as well as one could possibly hope. English soundtracks have been recorded in Dolby 5.1 and DTS 5.1, while a French soundtrack is available in Dolby Digital 5.1 as well. English and French subtitles are accessible. There are no supplemental materials of any consequence, but this is an excellent presentation of an interesting film. ~ Perry Seibert, All Movie Guide

Member Movie Reviews

Rammy M. (m5rammy) from DAYTON, OH wrote on 5/4/2009...

0 of 4 member(s) found this review helpful.

I did Not like this movie.

A number of stories that in the end weave together. Ok, but in the end ... what's the point?
Too much jumping back and forth in time with no explanation. Yes, in the end I did understand it, but again, what's the point? Did they think the story was too weak on its own and needed to be spiced up? eg One character seems to be on his death bed (in a hospital) then he's out, then he's ill and waiting for a transplant. is he getting better? worse? is this before? a relapse? etc.
Another character "has been in and out of jail", suddenly he's in jail, is this a new time? or the last time (where he learned some lesson)? suddenly he's working somewhere else, is this as a prisoner (not exactly chain gang)?

This is not like Memento where there is a clear progression backwards, or like many other movies where there is a definite "then" and "now"

The acting was fine, the camera work was fine (except when it was shaky) etc.
but if you piece it all together chronologically... there is no real conclusion. Maybe the characters worked out their issues, maybe not.

The message seemed to be (if anything) "Sometimes people die, sometimes people want to die" yeah? and? so what!?

Kristina G. (familiagarduno) from COLUMBUS, OH wrote on 1/30/2009...

4 of 5 member(s) found this review helpful.

You must see all three films by this Director/Writer. They include Amorres Perros, Babel and 21 Grams. They are broken up scenes with a built up story that will blow your mind when it all comes together. It's like putting a puzzle together without knowing the finished picture - you're amazed when it works and shocked that it worked. You will love this story as three lives are wound together....