Monday, December 26, 2022
Babylon
It was the Roaring Twenties & Hollywood was transitioning from silent films to talkies. Two newbies trying to get into motion picture business meet at this decadent party thrown by a big time movie producer. It is rampant with booze, drugs, sex, & anything goes. All I️ can say about these opening scenes is holy shit & how can you ignore the elephant in the room. Mexican-American go-for guy Manny (Diego Calva) becomes an assistant to a popular silent film star Jack (Brad Pitt). Ambitious wannabe actress Nellie (Margot Robbie) wrangles a bit part & then steals her scenes. This is an ensemble story about individuals’ rise & fall in this wild & crazy comedy-drama. It’s a behind the scenes look at the movie business & their celebrity players. The acting is brilliant. Tobey McGuire has a small part as a creepy mob boss. This 3 hour 9 minute film gets darker & more intense as the end approaches & the debauchery punctuates its scenes. Director/writer Damien Chazelle doesn’t pull his punches as he deals with the scandals, coverups, & messiness. It’s a stunning look filmmaking during this period.
Alien gives it 3½ “Wild Child” stars out of 4.
