In Mesopotamia — what is now Iraq — there used to exist a city named Babel. It was the Holy City of Babylonia. But in Christian mythology, its meaning is interpreted as “confusion” in reference to the Tower of Babel.
During the erection of the Tower of Babel, God saw the united people building this tower to reach the heavens as defiance to His greatness. The Biblical story tells that man is evil and rebellious by nature and the tower's construction was an act of ego, not an act of worship. As punishment, God confused the languages so the builders could no longer communicate; they stopped building and the people were scattered over the world. You could read into such a story that God is responsible for this screw-up the world finds itself in, but I digress.
In Babel, we find the same motif in three or four stories, depending on how you interpret it, closely linked together but spread out over the world. The story begins with two young brothers in the Moroccan desert, shooting the new family rifle at jackals and rocks, while herding goats. The older brother, trying to prove the rifle is a dud, fires at a tour bus when, in fact, he’s just a poor shot. The younger brother -- who is a great shot -- proves the rifle isn’t a dud. Thus begins the beautifully crafted tragedy about death and loneliness.
A couple on a retreat to mend their lives after the death of their child are on that bus. The wife, Susan, played by Cate Blanchett, who, with her pale visage, could easily appear in a Waterhouse painting, is hit in the shoulder by the bullet. As the bus stops, the boys, realizing what they have done, run for the hills — literally and figuratively.
A Mexican nanny in an upper-middle class home receives a call from the husband, Richard, played by Brad Pitt. She is forced to stay with the children, despite her son’s wedding the next day. Not able to find a sitter, she heads off to Mexico with the children to attend the wedding. Getting back into the U.S. with the children will prove disastrous.
Article comments
1 - Nicole
I can not believe that I jus wasted that much time on a completly pointless movie. That movie was the WORST and most POINTLESS movie I have ever watched! It was a mess. I would like to know the point of that movie, since I wasted my vaulable time watching it, like for instance what in the hell did the japense guy, and girl have to do with anything? Besides the fact that he is the original owner of the rifle? Oh my GOD this movie was the worst movie that I have EVER seen!
sincerly unsatisfied!!!
2 - babel lover
nicole, COMEON!!
watch the movie once more... this movie i found was even better than Crash, wch i luved to bits.
this movie has meaning and alot more i cannot put to word cause iam too tired.
3 - Fredrick
I heard the hype and decided to watch "Babel." What a mistake. This pointless piece of purient tripe masquerading as film noir can only appeal to the 20-something pseudo-aesthete. It's premise was evident within about five minutes. After that, there was very little of substance to recommend it. It is prima facie evidence that Hollywood no longer has nothing to offer but cobbled-together rubbish intended for audiences, who believe that they are sophisticated, but are, in reality, shallow and uninformed. Crap sells in America as this movie painfully illustrates. Do yourself a favor. Skip "Babel" and go have a nice walk in the park.
4 - Andrew
Fredrick, so true what you wrote. I personally thought the movie was good, but if you can't see the blazing bright intentions the director had in making this film, and you're a complete fanboy, like the guy who wrote this review, and you think this is the epitomy of higher-filmography, you are a confused, self-exalting, wannabe critic.
5 - Brenda
How sad that 3 out of 4 above completely missed the point of the film.. can you not relate to human suffering? can you not relate to a wife & a husband attempting to overcome the dead of their child by taking a "mending" trip? can you not relate to the teenager who is hurting inside but while she is not able to express herself in words she opts to draw attention by sexual exploitation.. that is today's society! the Director did an incredible job of weaving & connecting the stories together.. Babel connect's with audience on soo many levels.. you must be open minded
6 - Catsandi
How do you know the younger brother fired the shot that hit Kate Blanchett?