Common Sense Media Review
Thought-provoking film has sex, violence, language.
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21 Grams
What's the Story?
In 21 GRAMS, a terrible collision shatters more than physical objects -- it shatters the very narrative of the story itself. Director Alejandro González Iñárritu uses clusters of brief scenes that act as a mosaic, gradually revealing what happened to devastate the lives of its three leads. Paul (Sean Penn) is dying. His heart is failing, and his wife wants to find a way to have his child. Jack (Benicio Del Toro) is struggling. He has come out of prison with a fierce new religious faith that has his wife and children a little uneasy. Cristina (Naomi Watts) is happy. She has overcome a substance abuse problem and is content with her husband and daughters. Then a corner is turned. A driver -- maybe in too much of a hurry to get to a birthday party, maybe having had a drink -- hits three pedestrians. Lives are lost. Another is devastated. Is there a way to go on?
Is It Any Good?
Penn gives one of the most sensitive performances of his career in this harrowing drama. He's completely convincing in 21 Grams as a math professor, showing an extraordinary range of subtle and complex emotions. Watts and Del Toro are also outstanding. Iñárritu uses a handheld camera and directs with a simple and intimate feeling, creating a raw experience as viewers go through the lead characters' (few) ups and (many) downs.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about why Iñárritu shot 21 Grams in a nonlinear way. How would its impact have been different if all of the scenes were shown in order?
21 Grams uses high levels of violence, sex, and drug use to tell its story. Do you think this delivery method works? Does it strengthen or lessen its ultimate message about hope in dark times? Why, or why not?
If you've seen the other films in Iñárritu and Arriaga's "Death Trilogy," which include Amores Perros and Babel, which one is your favorite? What themes and messages link the three? In what ways are they different?
Movie Details
- In theaters : November 20, 2003
- On DVD or streaming : March 15, 2004
- Cast : Benicio Del Toro , Naomi Watts , Sean Penn
- Director : Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu
- Inclusion Information : Latino Movie Director(s) , Mexican Movie Director(s) , Latino Movie Actor(s) , Female Movie Actor(s)
- Studio : Focus Features
- Genre : Drama
- Run time : 125 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- MPAA explanation : language, sexuality, some violence and drug use.
- Last updated : September 30, 2023
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