With a star spangled cast and electrifying trailer, new movie Babylon has certainly started 2023 with a bang. Throughout the 3 hours and 9 minutes of cocaine mountains and never-ending alcohol, this long-awaited picture unfortunately turns into one of great length. Over the course of the movie, we follow Margot Robbie’s Nellie LaRoy, Brad Pitt’s Jack Conrad and Diego Calva’s Manuel Torres who live through the ever-changing world of Hollywood.
Silent films develop into sound filled wonders while dreams crash and burn within the lives of those on screen. Nicknamed ‘Manny’, Calva’s wannabe film maker falls instantly in love with wild child Nellie, as both make it their mission to experience the trials and tribulations of early Hollywood glamour. Upon first glance Chazelle, who brought us masterpieces such as Whiplash and La La Land, seems to have aggressively mashed Moulin Rouge and Once upon a time…in Hollywood together with enough bodily fluids to put you off your popcorn. Chazelle seems to have had the right idea - well, sort of - but just hasn’t quite pulled it off, leaving a trail of chaos behind him as he divides the crowd.
an abundance of Baz Luhrmann-style party scenes push any well written storylines into nothingness
More often than not, meaningful scenes addressing the dangers of showbiz are shoved behind images of absurdity. A specific storyline concerning musician Sidney Palmer (Jovan Adepo) sees him being forced into wearing demeaning face make-up in order to fit Hollywood’s discriminatory mentalities. His role in this instance could have been changed from a hasty snippet of the unjust system to something of real significance. Ridiculous scenes of Robbie somehow surviving a run in with a rattlesnake and an abundance of Baz Luhrmann-style party scenes, push any well written storylines like this one into nothingness. Later on, an unsettling Tobey Maguire exposes us to scenes of horror movies as rats are eaten alive and disturbing figures creepily roam in between shots. Let’s just say this is not for the feint-hearted and being accompanied by an age rating of 18, is certainly not for younger viewers. It must be said however that although sometimes hard to watch, a natural empathy towards the characters was created as they suffered the hardships within what seemed like a living hell. Perhaps a little more time dedicated to character development would have ensured for a better landing within the cinemas.
Although a bit shabby in places, it must be said that the talents of Robbie, Pitt and Calva leave a mark even in the most bizarre scenes. Other noteworthy performances come from the likes of Jean Smart and Li Jun Li as all of our protagonists suffer at the hands of the ever-hungry society we have always lived in. On top of the excellent acting, the cinematography was pretty spectacular as we were transported into the old world of show business. Babylon is an outrageously wild show of the time before the talkies, with Chazelle never leaving a dull moment. Outstanding tracking shots and extravagant costumes allow for a love-it hate-it situation which I myself am struggling to solve. With 40 minutes shaved off the running time, more investment in the characters and a little less scatological humour, Chazelle could have been in for a standing ovation.
Needs some work 6.5/10