A transcendent, powerful drama!

21 Grams comes from the same creative team that were responsible for the successful powerhouse film Amores Perros (more commonly titled Love's a Bitch). Mexican director Alejandro González Iñárritu's 21 Grams is a moody, confronting, stimulating, mesmerising, often gut-wrenching and uncompromising character study that tackles some of humanity's darkest moral difficulties, in addition to delving into the fragility of life and relationships. Director Iñárritu proves his filmmaking skill with this production. In tradition with Amores Perros, he's delivered an equally gritty and challenging product here. The director is capable of managing this genre elegantly. This is a temperamental drama that won't be for all tastes. Similar to the director's prior movie, he again delivers a disjointed but engrossing editing technique capable of encompassing powerful, raw emotional exuberance. It's an unusual film generally devoured enthusiastically by those who can stomach it: a vibrant, riveting complex emotional tale concerning death, life, salvation, religious conviction, violence and confronting personal demons.

The film is fuelled by a multi-faceted plot that's difficult to outline without divulging regrettable amounts of spoilers. Basically, 21 Grams concerns interweaving storylines following three central protagonists. Paul Rivers (Penn) is a critically ill professor reduced to what he regards as "death's waiting room". Due to a grave heart condition, Paul has nothing to do but wait for a new heart to be transplanted into his chest. If no organ transplant is conducted, Paul will suffer a very unpleasant death. Cristina Peck (Watts) is a recovering drug addict who's also a textbook example of your typical suburban mother: with two beautiful daughters and a loving husband (Huston) back at her ranch. Jack Jordan (Del Toro) is an ex-con who's been an intermittent resident of prison since the age of 16. Now he's being supported by a family who are trying to help him get his life back together and keep it on track. Hoping to find redemption for the crimes he's committed, Jack has turned to Jesus Christ as his saviour and accepted Christianity as his religion. These three seemingly unconnected people clash in an unforgettable, unfortunate series of tragic events.

The critics wholeheartedly voiced their praises for Alejandro González Iñárritu's 21 Grams, to the point that it's worrying to consider that it was overlooked for Best Picture at the Oscars. The film is simply a brilliant creation frequently overflowing with risky, moving and unflinching performances courtesy of an A-list cast.

Mexican director Iñárritu tells the film in fragments. Short segments of the film are edited together in a non-linear structure. The interesting thing is that the plot is coherent and linear: the film could work as a logically constructed series of events as opposed to pieces of the puzzle being randomly scattered, leaving the audience to engage their minds to slide each puzzle piece into place. This technique is unnecessary, but it helps remind the audience that this is no ordinary drama. Also, perhaps with the film assembled in a linear structure it could be harder to watch. The film would still be essential viewing, but probably more hard-hitting as the audience wouldn't have time to recover before the next emotional issue is dropped on them.

At the centre of the filmmaking, the film's actual driving power is found in the enthralling performances. Sean Penn was unfortunately unobserved during Oscar season while his two co-stars were both recognised with nominations in their respective categories. Sean Penn's portrayal is convincing, credible, realistic and uncompromising. The character's major health problems are felt by the audience thanks to Penn's incredible performance. Every struggling breath...each labouring step is palpable and it's effortless to feel completely engaged. Naomi Watts was honoured with an Oscar nomination. Her performance is amazing beyond words. Every time Watts is distraught about the tragedy that has occurred, you will feel truly touched. However, both Penn and Watts are almost overshadowed by the career-altering performance of Benicio Del Toro. He was also granted an Oscar nomination. Del Toro is always infused with such incredible emotional power: he's riveting and believable. At times his character's rage feels like a kick to the gut. And at times you'll feel goose-bumps due to his capability as a performer.

The masterful filmmaking exhibited in 21 Grams in unlike anything preceding it. The director opted to film the movie employing a grainy look, almost like a home movie. Each assembled fragment is like one situation filmed by someone on their home video camera, and then all the tapes are being played in random order. It feels like the most haunting home movie of all time. The film was made on a tiny budget of only $20 million. This is absolutely mind-blowing when you consider the congregation of A-list actors that beautifully portray their respective characters. The filmmakers also decided to aim for realism as opposed to hyperbolic and Hollywood. The sound mix, music and ambience all conform to this creative decision. Of course this realistic edge makes the film even more riveting...never do the filmmakers tread a false step.

The realism conveyed in this visually arresting production will have you believing every frame. Unfortunately, on the other hand, the material isn't adequately illuminated as much as the filmmakers probably desired. In addition, there are several "fragments" depicted throughout the film's running time that seem either superfluous or of unnecessary length. As a result, the visual elegance and great performances aren't enough to prevent audiences from being bored to tears at times. Also, with fragmented storytelling the character development is slightly skewed. Hence this was a dangerous decision. Perhaps with a few rearranged "fragments" it'd be more effective. Naturally, more screenings will further allow the audience to see the characters as far more developed.

Overall, 21 Grams has been regarded as one of 2003's most essential films. It truly is! The masterful filmmaking being offered is of the highest regard: deep visuals, a subtlety touching score, thought-provoking dialogue, stimulating emotional intensity and thoroughly convincing performances that elevate the characters astronomically. You'll be baffled at how truly moving this film is. With no hyperboles in place, the audience will feel truly engaged in the proceedings and transfixed at the visually apprehending feast for the eyes.

8.6/10