Director Alejandro González Iñárritu's 21 Grams is easily one of the best films of last year and something of a unique film experience. A few films have tried to tell a story in reverse order or where chronological events are just tossed out the window. Most don't pull it off while a very small few do it and do it greatly. 21 Grams almost does it greatly. I would have to say it does it in a good way but not a great way. Where say Memento was focused on one guy, 21 Grams is on three leads with tons of fragmented segments thrown out at the beginning. There is enough to grab hold to early on which is key in getting your interest. As the film progresses the pieces start coming together to some fashion. Different is what I can say works here. Add in three great performances (and a bunch of Academy Award nominations) and you have a film that cries out for your attention.
The three main characters are Paul (Sean Penn) who is a math professor with a bad heart and a failing marriage. His wife though wants to give him a child via artificial insemination I guess to give him the knowledge that part of him will live on. He is hoping for a transplant in order to live on. Christine (Naomi Watts) is a former addict who is now married. This marriage has given her that stability in life that she so desperately needed. The third character is Jack (Benicio Del Toro), an ex-con who has found Jesus and is trying to be a changed man for the good of his family. A tragic accident brings the three together which leads to changes for all, mostly bad changes that all come spiraling together. That's about all I will say.
21 Grams is presented in 1.85:1 anamorphic widescreen. The picture is shot with a definite stylized look to it which consists of a lot of grain and low lit scenes. Detail and sharpness is good as any recent film should have. The grain is intentional and while it does lessen detail and definition, the intended look is preserved well on DVD. Colors are purposefully subdued and look fine on this transfer. The print aside from the grain is clean and damage free. No real issues to report here with the compression. No shimmering, no halos, just a nice and accurate film transfer that is very film like.
Dolby Digital 5.1 and DTS audio are included for this release. This is a front heavy mix with some very subtle ambience occasionally directed to the rears. Dialogue is loud, clear, and designed well for the settings of the film. A different looking film needs slightly off audio and these two tracks fit the bill. They match up well with the tone of the film.
The only extras are trailers for Timecop 2 and Tremors 4. Kind of odd that such is it and nothing for the film at all is here.
21 Grams has some great direction and even better acting. The leads do a tremendous job. Sean Penn sometimes amazes me while other times leaves me bored. Here he does a very commendable job and once again has me really appreciating what he brings to a film. This is definitely one of the must see films of last year. You might not ever need to see it more than once, but that one time important so I suggest you seek out a copy. The lack of extras is likely going to annoy quite a few fans but the excellent transfer and good audio are more than enough to make you want to experience this film.
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