Plot: What’s it about?
Several years ago, I was reviewing Whiplash. I absolutely loved it. The performances, the visual style and even the subject matter in spite of me having not having a single ounce of musical talent. As it turned out, audiences did too. It garnered an Oscar win for J.K. Simmons. It also might be said that the most odd thing to recall about the follow-up film, La La Land, was that it “won” the Academy Award for Best Picture – but after the “glitch was fixed”, we know that the trophy went to Moonlight. I wasn’t too much of a fan of Chazelle’s next outing – First Man. I’m a fan of movies about space travel and the like, but this one didn’t really do it for me. Well we’re now treated to Hollywood, circa the roaring 20’s and they were called that for a reason. Fasten your seatbelts, it’s going to be a bumpy (and long) night.
We meet Manny Torres (Diego Calva), an assistant to a Hollywood executive. He’s more of a gopher, but so is the life in the early days of Hollywood. He meets Nellie LaRoy (Margot Robbie) at a party. She’s convinced that she’s destined to be a star in spite of the fact that she’s got no actual credits to her name. By an odd chance, she lands a role in a film and, you guessed it, becomes the new “It” girl. Manny is hired by Jack Conrad (Brad Pitt), a silent star trying to make the awkward transition to “talkies.” Certainly, shades of Singin’ in the Rain abound. Not to be left out is Sidney Palmer (Jovan Adepo), a trumpet player who’s ostracized due to his skin color.
The plot might not sound like much, but I assure you that it fills the running time and there was much more to spare. We’re invested in the characters and I assure you that no one is in the same place at the end as they were in the beginning. We follow the highs and lows and get a glimpse of all the debauchery that went on back in the day. Don’t kid yourselves, folks, it might have been the 1920’s but they knew how to party. If you take some bits and pieces from Moulin Rouge!, Sunset Boulevard and All About Eve – that might give an inkling as what to expect. Thankfully Chazelle’s magic hasn’t faded and it’s this script, direction and the performances that make this one unforgettable trip.
Video: How’s it look?
Am I the only person who’s wowed when I see movies that take place in the past and see them in color? I mean, wasn’t everything in black and white back then? Kidding, of course. If you’ve ever seen a Baz Luhrmann film then you’ll have an inkling as what to expect. The film was nominated for three Oscars, one being Costume Design. And this top-notch set and costume design plunge you into this world. Linus Sandgren’s cinematography compliments them, giving the first half of Babylon a gorgeous, glitzy sheen, then shifting the second half into a darker, moodier visual style. Paramount’s 2.39:1 HEVC 4K image is nothing short of perfection and if you’ve got to stare at someone for 188 minutes – it might as well be Margot Robbie. This runs the gamut on the color spectrum though it’s a bit darker than, say, La La Land. Nevertheless, it’s a winner visually.
Audio: How’s it sound?
Likewise the Dolby Atmos track exemplifies nearly everything we’ve come to expect from modern soundtracks. The entire aural atmosphere is alive and awake for the duration of the film. From the opening sequence’s “orgy” to the music, vocals and everything in between. There’s an ambiance at work that simply doesn’t let up. It’s a great example of an atmospheric track. Then again, those familiar with the filmmaker’s previous films should know what to expect. Top notch. All the way around.
Supplements: What are the extras?
- A Panoramic Canvas Called Babylon — The cast and crew discuss the inspiration and motivation behind the original story and development of this epic, 15 years in the making.
- The Costumes of Babylon — Discover how costume design was fundamental to character development and the challenges that went into creating over 7,000 costumes for the film.
- Scoring Babylon — Take a peek into Justin Hurwitz’s musical process to understand the artistry behind composing an iconic score that further elevates the film.
- Deleted & Extended Scenes — A mix of deleted and extended scenes are included, but for the most obvious reason (the running time) – these were wisely cut.
- Manny Drives Jack
- Elinor Chats with Extra
- Cutting Room
- Dressing Room Fight
- Powder Room
- Passport Search
The Bottom Line
With its over-the-top exuberance and bloating running time, Babylon will likely cater to select audiences. But if you’re a fan of Chazelle’s other work and/or style then this one is certainly for you. There’s really not a bad performance in the bunch and Paramount’s disc looks and sounds amazing.
