Review: Bardem, Iñárritu Make a ‘Biutiful’ Film

By Michael Lopez

As much as we love those special effects blockbusters, we also love a great tearjerker, especially one as good as Alejandro González Iñárritu’s subtle masterpiece, Biutiful.

The two-and-a-half-hour Biutiful is not fast-paced fluff. This is a movie that requires its audience to be focused and committed to every scene. It is also entirely in Spanish, so those who aren’t fluent better bring their subtitle-reading glasses. Those who do will most certainly be rewarded.

The film's incredible performances (particularly by Javier Bardem), multi-layered themes and delicate plot twists will make you want to come back for a second viewing. With filmmaker Guillermo del Toro listed as a producer, you know this isn’t your ordinary drama.

The plot follows the life of Uxbal, a single father with paranormal talents. Although he hasn’t always used his “gifts” for the right purposes, with his own mortality drawing near, he’s now decided to change his ways.

Life and death are two of the film's main themes, but it also explores themes of remorse, forgiveness and the love between a parent and a child. Iñárritu (who also wrote the film) does a fantastic job of blending the great beyond with the very real struggles of a working class family.

There is a reason Biutiful was nominated for that Golden Globe and we’re hoping the Oscar voters will be even more generous. Kudos to Javier, Alejandro and the entire production team for sharing with us this original, heart-wrenching film.

What did you think of Biutiful? Sound off below or @MTV3.

Tags Alejandro González Iñárritu, Biutiful, Javier Bardem, Movie Reviews, Movies, Movies & CineMás