No. 4 (2023) BABYLON. 17th Jan.

 

Film No. 4 (2023)  January 17th.  6:40 AM  PALACE Cinema 4,  Raine Square,  Perth City.

"She is, she is ... but she has no idea what comes next" (Jack responds to Lady Fay's comment that Nellie seems nice).

WINNER:  BEST SCORE.  NOMINEE:  BEST COSTUME DESIGN; Chicago Film Critic Award 2023.

One of the theories surrounding why BABYLON is flopping at the box office is its 190 minute run time. I say, what a shame. Hopefully those catching a screening on the biggest screen near them are sending out the message - miss this film phenomenon at your own peril. This is the ultimate example of Damien Chazelle extravagance.

It's like a good meal, but here, a tender steak, a succulent chicken loin and a baked fish are all served on the same plate. One brilliant scene after another collides to exemplify how, then why, the sudden move by Hollywood from the silent age to talkies took its toll.

Chazelle presents us with our three "heroes" early. Jack Conrad (Brad Pitt) is Hollywood's leading man. Nellie LaRoy (Margot Robbie) and Mannie Torres (Diego Calva) "collide" in the opening scene and proceed to carve success, each following different paths in this glamourous community that is Hollywood.  We start this journey in an era of film-making that is rapidly coming to a close. The depraved, extravagance is about to end, but which of our heroes are best equipped to cope? Who has made a sustainable plan for their future in the movies? After all, what they have known is about to undergo the greatest and swiftest revolution the industry has ever seen.

It's a great idea. How did movie stars of the era cope? Well Chazelle throws out a theory. One take, the Chazelle take, is BABYLON.

He also hits a nice tone with minor characters, singer Lady Fay Zhu (Li Yun Li) and jazz trumpeter Jovan Adepo (Sydney Palmer) are both major performers in the set piece scenes where the debauched parties require entertainment. While all falls down around our leads Jack and Nellie, Fay and Jovan (racial prejudice aside) are the sturdy "blocks" that BABYLON uses to create its vision for the future. These two thrive because of that vision and their resilience. Another blow to those with a prejudiced mindset.

I'm careful who I'm recommending BABYLON to. My mum and a conservative friend who likes romcoms and taut mysteries will find BABYLON too offensive and too long. But there are those who I have told to go. You'll know who they are. They are the ones who just love a party, live life to its fullest and can't get enough of either!  11GUMS.