Back from Babel: Inarritu's Biutiful

Biutiful is the antithesis of Alejandro Gonzales Inarritu's last film Babel. In the BFI's production notes the director says:

"At the end of Babel, I was so exhausted I made it a point that my next film would be about just one character, with one point of view, one single city, with a straight narrative line and in my own native language."

If you add into that having film's protagonist played by native actor Javier Bardem then you have something which is far, far superior to the starry-casted and confusing Babel.

Biutiful is Uxbal's (Bardem) story. He's a single father of two, his ex-wife is bio-polar and for money he hustles on the grimy back streets of Barcelona, acting as a broker between illegal immigrants and those looking for cheap labour or an outlet for selling their counterfeit goods.

*Some spoilers* The film starts with a tension-filled scene in a snowy wood between a young man and Uxbal, the two walking into an unknown fate or so it seems. The significance of the opening scene only gradually becomes evident as the narrative switches back to the preceding weeks, following Uxbal going about his life.

He is a good man. He is raising his children as best as he can and kind and considerate to those around him. The cliche would be that he was manipulative and exploitative in earning his money but he isn't. He treats those for whom he finds work as his equals, finding them places to stay and even getting arrested when he steps in to stop the police beating one.

It is his kindness that ultimately leads to tragedy but that isn't the heart of the story or the true tragedy. The tragedy is that Uxbal is dying of cancer. He has ignored the signs and the pain and now it is too late and he has just a couple of months to put his life in order for all those dependent on his help and his young family.

Uxbal is stoic and practical in facing his death, a trait that has developed from his ability to sometimes hear the voices of those who have newly died. He helps the bereaved by passing on what he hears. But again, he doesn't do it to exploit the vulnerable, he does it to help. And earn a little money for his children.

Inarritu seamlessly melds the gritty reality of life in Barcelona, away from the tourist veneer, with moments of spiritual symbolism. For example Uxbal, when he can't sleep, sees butterflies in ever increasing numbers on his bedroom ceiling.

Biutiful isn't sentimental it is about a very human struggle. And Bardem is a compelling screen presence appearing in almost every shot. When your face is in close up that much then it has to have a lot to say and fortunately he is one of those rare talents that doesn't need to speak to convey feeling.

At two and half hours it could seem indulgent but the film in its simplicity is rich and engaging and never stumbles. And it is its richness and simplicity which makes Biutiful such a wonderfully beautiful and extremely moving film. It haunts long after the credits role and I loved it.

It's not officially released in the UK until this coming weekend but on Rotten Tomatoes it has a rating of 64% based on 39 reviews and on Metacritic it has 56% from 15 reviews. But I'm giving it 90% so there.