Babylon (2022)
7.412 /10
2851 Reviews
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A tale of outsized ambition and outrageous excess, tracing the rise and fall of multiple characters in an era of unbridled decadence and depravity during Hollywood's transition from silent films to sound films in the late 1920s.
Videos & Photos
cast
... Jack Conrad
... Nellie LaRoy
... Manny Torres
... Elinor St. John
... Bob Levine
User reviews
A fecal, anal honking, and vomit-infused tale revolving around orgy-driven slaphappiness and punchdrunk intoxication as the silent movie era disjointedly stumbled into sound and talkies. Channeling the likes of Michel Hazanavicius’ _The Artist_ and _Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas_ with a rhythmically chaotic boogie seemingly torn right out of Gasper Noe’s _Climax_, _Babylon_ is an aggressive assault of the senses loosely thread together by cinematic evolution and dwindling fame.
**Full review:** https://boundingintocomics.com/2022/12/15/babylon-review-requiem-for-the-silver-screen/
Director:
Writer:
Damien Chazelle (Writer)
Release Date:
2022-12-22
Run Time:
189 min
MMPA Rating:
R
Reviews of
Babylon
A fecal, anal honking, and vomit-infused tale revolving around orgy-driven slaphappiness and punchdrunk intoxication as the silent movie era disjointedly stumbled into sound and talkies. Channeling the likes of Michel Hazanavicius’ _The Artist_ and _Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas_ with a rhythmically chaotic boogie seemingly torn right out of Gasper Noe’s _Climax_, _Babylon_ is an aggressive assault of the senses loosely thread together by cinematic evolution and dwindling fame.
**Full review:** https://boundingintocomics.com/2022/12/15/babylon-review-requiem-for-the-silver-screen/
Babylon is debauchery at its finest. It encapsulates an era like no other and dares to be so different, yet so appealing. On the surface this film is a very straightforward plot, following our three leads and their attempts at success in the ever-changing world of cinema. But deep down, there is another message that is so relevant to everyone's life: accepting death/irrelevance.
Just as fast as our characters achieve their dreams of being stars in the industry, these dreams are quickly whisked away by the brutality and cutthroat nature of Hollywood. This is juxtaposed with Brad Pitts character, a man already on downward spiral of his career, trying to desperately hold on to what remains. These arches are so honest and vulnerable, I found very compelling.
The performances were top notch all around, and I would expect nothing more from a stacked cast of actors including Margot Robbie and Brad Pitt. But the surprise of the bunch was Diego Calva. He was fantastic and stole many scenes he was featured in with both Robbie and Pitt. He is the true lead of this film and does an excellent job bearing the load.
I really enjoyed almost aspects of the film, but towards the end there are some sequences that I feel got away from Chazelle. They are so over the top and kind of feal out of place in this somewhat grounded story. The tension is there in these scenes, but it just doesn't fit. This whole subplot could have been shorten tremendously helping reduce the bloated runtime of the film.
That being, I never really felt the length of this picture with it being quite well paced. Overall, this movie was real treat, and it is quite a shame that marketing was jumbled up so poorly because this film deserves viewership.
Score: 88%
Verdict: Excellent
Theatre Verdict: See It
It's a sort of triptych of stories of Hollywood, this. A tale that starts off with all the excesses and hedonism of the cocaine fuelled, sexually lascivious antics where even an elephant isn't too much for a party hosted by a movie mogul. It's here we meet the three characters who provide the thread for the rest of this maelstrom of a movie. Firstly we have the young, naive, but quick-thinking "Manny" (Diego Calva) who manages to attract the attention of the much-married, established and former silent screen star "Jack Conrad" (Brad Pitt) all whilst Margot Robbie's ambitious and outrageous "Nellie LaRoy" is sniffing, snorting, dancing and generally sexifying everything she touches as she bids to get into the acting business. What now ensues is a really well crafted and thoughtfully entertaining tale of the rise and fall and rise and fall of these three characters and of how their success brings failure as surely as the sun comes up. Robbie is on excellent form, a truly convincing performance as a character ill-equipped for the journey she is so determined to undertake. Pitt, likewise, plays well here. His character has less in the way of shock factor to deliver, but that storyline offers us a rather more effectively stolid appreciation of just how fickle success can be: there, then gone - in what might seem like a blind of the eye. Finally, the aspirational but (initially) more measured, head-screwed-on Calva who falls in love, and ends up trying to fight the inevitable like King Canute! There's a quirky effort from Tobey Maguire, an alligator and a rat-eater; and a rather scene-stealing contribution - especially at the end - from Jean Smart's Hedda Hopper-style gossip journalist "Elinor St. John" - possibly the only honest character in the entire thing! It's a pastiche and/or an homage to all things cinema at a time of the gradual emergence and then dominance of sound pictures, and we are frequently exposed to the car-crash lifestyles as everyone adapted, re-adapted, and continued to stay on their toes as their industry and their audiences did not always want to take everyone with them - and at break neck speed too - as tastes changed. It's got everything from Cecil B DeMille to Baz Luhrmann to it, takes a swipe at the pompous-thinking stage theatricals (from the East Coast), the shallowness of the whole industry - and yet, it never loses a sense the these are still people. Human beings! It is not difficult to imagine Kenneth Anger advising on the script - it "could" all be true". Maybe a bit on the long side, it certainly sags now and again - but it's definitely a big screen experience that delivers solid, engaging performances that are not over reliant on - even, rather comically (and dangerously) illustrating just how films were made before - CGI! No point in waiting for this to come to television - it's a must for the cinema around which it's story is told.
Some great production and costume designs and the performance from Margot Robbie was great while Brad Pitt was good but seen better from him, and the opening 30 minutes were wild but otherwise this was far too long and nothing terribly memorable. **3.0/5**
I did forget this was the movie that proved Margot Robbie and Samara Weaving are indeed different people... :p
_Babylon_ is a visually stunning and stylish film with it’s share of pros and cons. On the one hand, the performances by Brad Pitt and Margot Robbie were outstanding. They truly brought their characters to life and added depth to the story. However, I found that the storyline didn't flow smoothly, and at times it felt disjointed and confusing. Additionally, some of the more grotesque scenes were overly exaggerated, which detracted from the overall experience. Another downside was the length of the movie, which at over 3 hours, felt excessive.
Cast & Crew of
Babylon
Cast
... Jack Conrad
... Nellie LaRoy
... Manny Torres
... Elinor St. John
... Bob Levine
... Sidney Palmer
... Truck Driver
... Elephant Wrangler
... Joe Holiday
... Reggie
... Ina Conrad
... Driver (Wallach's Party)
... George Munn
... Lady Fay Zhu
... Starlet
... Officer Elwood
... Robert Roy
... Gho Zhu
... Customer at Sam Wong's
... P.A. (Early Kinoscope)
... The Count
... Ruth Adler
... Max (Ruth's Assistant Director)
... Ruth's D.P. (James Wong Howe)
... Otto's A.D.
... Extra
... Extra
... Extra
... Tim
... Abby (Assistant Jack's Tent)
... Writer (Jack's Tent)
... Employee (Camera Rental House)
... A.C. (Camera Rental House)
... Irving Thalberg
... Constance Moore
... Don Wallach
... Reporter (Small Restaurant)
... Editor (Kinoscope)
... Woman at Door
... Young Man
... Olga Putti
... Studio Executive (Billy)
... Fan (Autograph)
... Nurse at Sanatorium
... Nellie's Mother
... Lloyd (Sound Mixer)
... Grip Harry (1st Day of Sound)
... D.P. Bill (1st Day of Sound)
... Clapper (1st Day of Sound)
... Crew Member (1st Day of Sound)
... Set Medic (1st Day of Sound)
... Estelle
... Carmelita
... Football Player
... Football Player
... Liz (Pool Party)
... Master of Ceremonies
... Manny's Assistant
... Spanish Language Actress
... Studio Employee (Sidney's House)
... Kinoscope Executive
... Marion Davies
... William Randolph Hearst
... Jonathan Rothschild
... Harriet Rothschild
... Mildred Yates
... Waiter
... Wealthy Man
... Wealthy Mann
... Wealthy Woman
... Wealthy Woman
... Young Studio Executive
... Guest at Hearst Bungalow
... Guest at Hearst Bungalow
... Guest at Hearst Bungalow
... Guest at Hearst Bungalow
... Production Assistant
... Prop Master (Kinoscope)
... Distribution Executive
... Thalberg's Secretary
... Kinoscope Assistant Director
... Guard (Kinoscope)
... New MGM Assistant Director
... Harold
... Young Actor (Jack's Beach Set)
... Lewis the Director
... Wilson
... McKay's Associate
... Masked Man
... Rebecca
... Producer
... Tourism Official
... Manny's Daughter
... Silvia Torres
... Guard at Gate
... Ticket Clerk (1952)
... Man Shouting in Bad Irish Accent
... Conductor (Night Club)
... Kyle
... Police Officer
... Jane Thornton
... Orville Pickwick
... Guest (Chicken Line)
... Jimmy
... Female Guest (Nathalie)
... Female Guest (Jack Tattoo)
... Male Guest (Wallach's)
... Director (Wallach's Party)
... Woman in Ostrich Feather Hat
... Charlie / Photographer
... Wilbur
... Publicity Executive (Wallach's Party)
... Jen
... James McKay
... Dale
... Sam Wong Zhu
... Bellhop
... Piccolo
... Flute
... Oboe
... Oboe
... Bassoon
... Clarinet
... Clarinet
... Clarinet
... Clarinet / Saxophone
... Clarinet / Saxophone
... Clarinet
... Saxophone
... Saxophone
... Saxophone
... Saxophone
... Saxophone
... Saxophone
... Saxophone
... Saxophone
... Saxophone
... Saxophone
... Saxophone
... Saxophone
... Saxophone
... Trumpet
... Trumpet
... Trumpet
... Trumpet
... Trumpet
... Trumpet
... Trumpet
... Trumpet
... Trumpet
... Tuba
... Trombone
... Trombone
... Trombone
... Trombone
... Trombone
... Trombone
... Trombone
... Trombone
... Trombone
... Trombone
... Tuba
... Tuba
... Tuba
... Tuba
... Percussion
... Percussion
... Percussion
... Percussion
... Percussion
... Percussion
... Percussion
... Taiko Drum
... Taiko Drum
... Taiko Drum
... Steel Drums
... Theremin
... Accordion / Piano
... Erhu
... Banjo
... Banjo
... Banjo
... Banjo / Guitar
... Piano
... Piano
... Piano
... Piano
... Piano
... Piano
... Piano
... Piano
... Guitar
... Guitar
... Guitar
... Drum Kit
... Drum Kit
... Drum Kit
... Drum Kit
... Drum Kit
... Drum Kit
... Violin
... Violin
... Violin
... Violin
... Violin
... Violin
... Violin
... Violin
... Violin
... Violin
... Viola
... Viola
... Viola
... Viola
... Viola
... Viola
... Viola
... Cello
... Cello
... Cello
... Cello
... Cello
... Bass
... Bass
... Bass
... Bass
... Bass
... Bass
... Otto (uncredited)
... Smoking Man (uncredited)
... Sneezing PA (uncredited)
... Nude Extra (uncredited)
... Bobbie Hart (uncredited)
... New York Fan (uncredited)
... Ava (uncredited)
... Dancer (uncredited)
... Beauty (uncredited)
... Striptease Performer (uncredited)
Crew
... Director
... Producer
... Producer
... Producer
... Executive Producer
... Executive Producer
... Director of Photography
... Production Design
... Editor
... Executive Producer
... Original Music Composer
... Casting
... Supervising Art Director
... Set Decoration
... Costume Design
... Hair Department Head
... Makeup Department Head
... Prosthetic Makeup Artist
... Second Assistant Director
... First Assistant Director
... Graphic Designer
... Set Designer
... Set Designer
... Construction Coordinator
... Set Designer
... Graphic Designer
... Set Designer
... Storyboard Artist
... Property Master
... Graphic Designer
... Set Designer
... Set Decoration Buyer
... Boom Operator
... Utility Sound
... Special Effects Supervisor
... Electrician
... Extras Casting
... Casting Assistant
... Casting Associate
... Key Costumer
... Costume Supervisor
... Location Scout
... Location Manager
... Assistant Location Manager
... Assistant Location Manager
... Musician
... Visual Effects Producer
... Visual Development
... Layout Supervisor
... Visual Effects Producer
... Visual Effects Supervisor
... Paint Coordinator
... Roto Supervisor
... Visual Effects Compositor
... Visual Effects Production Manager
... CG Supervisor
... Animation
... Visual Effects Compositor
... Visual Effects
... Concept Artist
... Visual Effects Production Manager
... Visual Effects Editor
... Rotoscoping Artist
... Digital Conform Editor
... Supervising Music Editor
... Recording Supervision
... Dialect Coach
... Choreographer
... Archival Footage Research
... Special Effects Best Boy
... Loader
... Still Photographer
... Rigging Grip
... Assistant Camera
... Chief Lighting Technician
... Rigging Grip
... Key Grip
... Lighting Technician
... Camera Operator
... Camera Technician
... Camera Intern
... Rigging Grip
... Additional Lighting Technician
... Steadicam Operator
... Other
... Video Assist Operator
... Assistant Chief Lighting Technician
... Other
... Techno Crane Operator
... Lighting Technician
... Electrician
... Other
... Lighting Technician
... Electrician
... Camera Production Assistant
... Camera Operator
... Camera Operator
... Camera Operator
... Other
... Grip
... Electrician
... Camera Operator
... Video Assist Operator
... Other
... Dolly Grip
... Electrician
... Set Costumer
... Costumer
... Costume Assistant
... Hairdresser
... Ager/Dyer
... Costumer
... Set Costumer
... Set Costumer
... Costumer
... Costumer
... Costumer
... Costumer
... Truck Costumer
... Key Set Costumer
... Costumer
... Costumer
... Costumer
... Costumer
... Costume Supervisor
... Post Production Producer
... Post Production Supervisor
... Post Production Coordinator
... Assistant Production Manager
... Set Dresser
... Set Dresser
... Props
... Other
... Set Dressing Manager
... Assistant Property Master
... Art Designer
... Set Dresser
... Set Decoration Buyer
... Art Department Coordinator
... On Set Dresser
... Other
... Set Dresser
... Set Decoration Buyer
... Props
... Leadman
... Set Dresser
... Construction Foreman
... Set Dresser
... Assistant Art Director
... Property Master
... Paint Coordinator
... Set Dresser
... Set Dresser
... Assistant Property Master
... Props
... Greensman
... Construction Foreman
... First Assistant Property Master
... Graphic Designer
... Writer
... Second Second Assistant Director
... Second Second Assistant Director
... Production Assistant
... Makeup Supervisor
... Makeup Artist
... Makeup Artist
... Makeup Artist
... Makeup Artist
... Makeup Artist
... Art Direction
... Art Direction
... Sound Effects Editor
... Sound Effects Editor
... Supervising Sound Editor
... Sound Re-Recording Mixer
... Sound Designer
... Sound Re-Recording Mixer
... Sound Designer
... Executive In Charge Of Production
... Stunt Coordinator
... Stunts
... Stunts
... Stunts
... Stunts
... Stunt Driver
... Stunt Driver
... Stunt Driver
... Stunt Coordinator
... Stunt Coordinator
... Stunts
... Stunts
... Stunts
... Stunts
... Stunts
... Stunts
... Stunts
... Stunt Double
... Fight Choreographer
... Stunts
... Stunts
... Stunt Double
... Stunt Double
... Stunt Double
... Utility Stunts
... Stunt Double
... Stunts
... Stunts
... Stunt Double
... Stunts
... Stunts
... Stunts
... Stunts
... Stunts
... Stunts
... Stunts
... Stunts
... Stunts
... Stunts
... Stunt Driver
... Production Sound Mixer
... Co-Executive Producer
... Foley Supervisor
... Foley Artist
... Foley Artist
... Foley Mixer
... Foley Mixer
... Foley Mixer
... Foley Editor
... Co-Producer
... Co-Producer
... Executive Producer
... Executive Producer
... Executive Producer
... Unit Production Manager
... Dialogue Editor
... ADR Editor
... Sound Effects Editor
... Songs
... Stunts
... Executive Producer
... Stunt Driver
Videos & Photos of
Babylon
Videos (4)
Photos 48
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