BABEL

(October 2006, U.S.)

My understanding of the definition for the word "babel" is a confusing series of noises or voices. However, this atheist had to look up its Biblical meaning. According to a dictionary website, Babel refers to the Tower of Babel, a tower that was intended to reach from Earth to Heaven, the building of which was frustrated when Jehovah confused the language of the builders. The confusion of language and the inability to listen and understand is the key element of BABEL; a series of three interrelated sets of characters, situations and stories that are revealed out of sequence.

Three stories set in three parts of the world - Morocco, Japan and Mexico, all ultimately tied to the ownership, selling and use of a high-powered rifle used in an accidental shooting of an American tourist (played by Cate Blanchet). But let's get back to the theme of language and understanding. Imagine the fear and frustration of Brad Pitt trying to save his wife's life in a foreign country where mutual languages are not understood and the proper medical attention is unavailable. Imagine being a young, lonely Japanese deaf girl who only yearns to be heard and to be loved in such a cruel world. Imagine being a small American child taken illegally across the border into Mexico and being surround by people and a culture you don't understand and is sometimes frightening (see the chicken beheading!) Imagine trying to save your illegal immigrant status by trying to plead and communicate with U.S. officials that won't listen to you (okay, to be honest, I have less sympathy about THAT one!).

Let's return to Mexico subplot for a bit - from the moment the Mexican nanny made the decision to take the two children with her to her son's wedding, my stomach was immediately filled with dread because I knew that something was ultimately going to go wrong. Would the children get lost in a foreign country? Would the little girl be raped by a drunk? Would the little boy get hit by a drunk's stray bullet? My feelings of dread did not disappoint - the children and the nanny are abandoned in the California desert. The children almost die. You feel for them and you're relieved when they are found unharmed.

There's a very clear message in BABEL of trying to maintain tollerance in a world that lacks understanding. Whether the message sticks is strictly up to the viewer's own level of tollerance. For myself, I'd be lying if I told you that I haven't succumbed to many episodes of intollerance in my life. I make no apologies for it, though.

I've occassionally said that a truly great art film will not only leave you thinking, but will also leave you a little depressed, too (it's a theory, anyway). BABEL does both and I consider it one of the best art films of the last decade.

Favorite line or dialogue:

Mike Jones: "My mom said Mexico is dangerous."
Santiago (in Spanish): "Yes, it's full of Mexicans."