Babylon review movie of Damien Chazelle with Brad Pitt, Margot Robbie, Diego Calva, Jean Smart, Jovan Adepo, Li Jun Li, Tobey Maguire, Olivia Wilde, Samara Weaving, Max Minghella And Phoebe Tonkin
With Babylon Chazelle takes us to the year 1926 to show us the dawn of the mecca of American cinema. Drugs, excesses and depravity are the common denominator of the parties where famous actors, directors and producers of silent films gather; parties that young people try to attend in search of a stroke of luck that will lead them to fame. The film, to be released on January 19, tells the epic of silent cinema during the 1920s in Hollywood; the pinnacle of success and its decline. The advent of sound brought about, in addition to the technical aspects, a radical change especially for the actors who not only had to be photogenic but also had to speak.
And it is in this setting – among large quantities of cocaine, jazz and lavish parties – that the lives of the aspiring actress unfold Nellie LaRoy (Margot Robbie) and of Manny Torres (Diego Calva) who will become the personal assistant of Jack Conrad (Brad Pitt), exclusive actor of the mgm extension. Their first meeting began a tumultuous friendship that, over the years, would reflect the status and growth of the film industry. In fact, as time goes on, Manny and Nellie’s popularity begins to grow while Jack looks for a way to keep his fading career afloat.
The title obviously refers to Babylon, the legendary city of ancient Mesopotamia which in its day was synonymous with power and splendour. An allegory of the Hollywood world with its wealth, its rejections and the ephemeral nature of fame. It pays homage to forgotten artists and their talent immortalized on celluloid. Although the future of cinema sometimes seems uncertain, we can still enjoy the spectacle of classic films and relive their glories together with the protagonists, thanks to the undying power of the seventh art.
The director celebrates the pioneers who built a world and brought a dream to the big screen. However, he does so without idealizing those years, unmasking sexism, racism and many other issues which unfortunately, a century later, continue to be topics of discussion.
But it is precisely in this context that Babylon he shines, when he’s not afraid to reveal that bitter side of show business. Damien Chazelle once again proves his talent. Long sequences with perfect choreography and without interruptions enchant from the beginning, in addition to the excellent cinematography that gives us a very accurate aesthetic.
On a narrative level, the calm pace does not always work: some sequences, in fact, contribute little or nothing to the progress of the plot. Excessively long scenes which give the impression of confusing and tangled moments and which could be omitted without damaging the rhythm. Also, the emotional conflict between Manny And Nellie fails to emerge as the development is overshadowed by the subplots of secondary characters that prevent the empathic connection with the viewer.
The amazing interpretations of the cast, however, make these venial sins forget. Margot Robbie steals the show with her magnetic presence and her ability to go from crying to smiling in an instant. Brad Pitt deftly draws, once again, on his comedic chops as Jean Smart conquers with the sympathy and honesty of his character. The big reveal is Diego Calva. He does an extraordinary job and it is through his eyes that we relive the atmosphere of glamor and debauchery, dreams and opportunities, successes and failures.
The story recounts the transition from silent to sound cinema through a series of characters who have experienced it firsthand, in both eras and with varying fortunes.
Over the course of more than three hours, we see how each of the protagonists must fight to keep the top, once conquered. But not all actors were able to adapt to the change and ride the wave. The advent of sound radically changed the face of cinema, reaping victims among the actors less receptive to novelty. This epochal change in the film industry could be compared, in some way, to the current landscape in which the foundations of traditional cinema are threatened by the stream and the slow post-pandemic recovery.
Opposite to La La Land, Babylon it is chaotic and extravagant and tragic. It’s a steep descent into debauchery. A bizarre cinematic nirvana. But it’s also a pulse-pounding film that’s hard not to pay attention to; an ambitious and courageous project that deserves only esteem for its ability to dare.
One thing is for sure, there is no denying that Babylon is an impressive, funny, sparkling and sometimes fascinating film.
A mighty slap to the star system and a delightful homage to cinema.
Babylon movie review Damien Chazelle Brad Pitt Margot Robbie
