Biutiful

This 2010 Spanish film written and directed by Alejandro González Iñárritu, with screenplay adaptation by Nicolás Giacobone was anything but beautiful. Now there is no need to be alarmed, for there were many beautiful things that happened to make this film exceptional; part of it being the dirty, shocking and distressing reality with which these human beings shared. This terrible but true veracity that real people do share is quite very much on the other side of the spectrum of what others of us do enjoy.

From the pitiable surroundings, wall graffiti, outdated wardrobe, strip clubs, jumpy camera movements and shifty characters sprinkled throughout it was an excellent recipe for a believable crime-ridden Barcelona. It's always extraordinary to take a peep into a world unfamiliar to yours and have it be set on fire thanks to remarkable acting throughout by Oscar winner Javier Bardem, long-time actress Marciel Alvarez. I found that admist the chaos of this family's life, Iñárritu managed to mold small bits of splendor within it all; like the magnificent formation of birds in flight, an angel statue painted person witnessing a chase on the streets, wind and sea sounds at select moments and the beating of hearts when there was a hug with love.

The dialogue also was marvelous, with lovely quotes that kept its audience soothed, such as: "…still are your lashes, and so is your heart…" and "It's dangerous to trust a man who's hungry…" The soundtrack also was outstanding and memorable to put this film at such high caliber. Many who do not speak Spanish would wonder why is Beautiful spelt as Biutiful in this film, when that certainly isn't it. Well; there is a small, maybe insignificant part of the film for many where Ana played by Hanaa Bouchaib asks her father what was the correct spelling for beautiful, and then later on in the film, Uxbal played by Javier Bardem realizes that his daughter posted a drawing on his refrigerator of a place where the snow falls and labels it as Biutiful. She is only 10 years old and this is truly an innocent and beautiful experience for a dying, single father, battling his manic/bi-polar wife who abuses their children, adulterant brother, and un-reliable and squalid work mates.

Death is palpable for those diagnosed with sickness; but what happens when it is given to a man who already has the gift of welcoming the dead to the other side of life? Exceptional job and thought-provoking film delivered again by the calm and talented Bardem and another first-rate director Alejandro González Iñárritu. Gooo Spain! J