Damien Chazelle’s Misunderstood Masterpiece
Damien Chazelle’s newest film ‘Babylon’ starring Margot Robbie, Brad Pitt and Diego Calva. Premiered on the 23rd of December 2022. When Babylon was released it was canned with negative reviews, currently holding a 56% on RT and 7.2 on IMDb, but I think otherwise. Babylon is directed by Damien Chazelle, director of Whiplash and La-La Land. Babylon is Chazelle’s longest film by far, having a runtime of 189 mins. Babylon follows Manny Torres (Calva), Jack Conrad (Pitt) and Nellie LaRoy (Robbie) and their careers in the 1920-30s film era during a time when sound movies were the new thing. All three play great performances but Calva stands out for me.
Two Rising Stars and an Aging Star Who is Trying To Revive His Career.
The film opens with a chaotic party filled with cocaine, alcohol and an elephant. Manny and Nellie begin to discuss their love for cinema and how much they deeply love it. At the party is where we meet Jack Conrad, one of the biggest stars of Hollywood, who gets fanboyed like a white girl to Harry Styles. When the party is finally over, Manny gets told to drive a passed out Conrad home. Conrad gives a chance that Manny always wanted, a chance to work on a movie set. When working with Conrad as his assistant, the production urgently needs a camera so Manny takes it upon himself to rush to the rental place, Manny ends up making it back just in time to save the film and the day. This is the rise of Manny Torres.
The Consequences of Fame.
After the party, Nellie finds herself as an unknown last minute replacement on a silent film and makes herself a force in the industry, however the fame reaches Nellie’s head and she begins to fall into a dark hole filled with drugs, gangsters and debts. Jack Conrad, the star of the silent era, a master of them. Conrad cannot adapt to the new era of sound films, he only lands roles which are just bad and make him become the new laughing stock of the industry. Conrad is clearly washed yet his delusional personality makes him think he still has that flame, that talent he was known for many years ago.
Babylon As A Whole.
Babylon is a through and through portrayal at one of the most party filled and turbulent times we have seen in Hollywood, during the time of the declining silent films and the new thing, sound. Babylon takes you on the journey and an experience that is unmatched, filled with drugs. The way Chazelle writes and directs is something that is just an unmatched passion for cinema. Showing the dark sides of Hollywood that is just swept under the rug. Babylon’s great score done by Justin Hurwitz should've won the oscar but the academy hated Babylon sadly. The acting of Babylon is terrific with Calva, Pitt and Robbie all delivering flooring performances, however Calva stands out with the elevation of Robbie and Pitt. The montage scene in Babylon is one of the greatest scenes in film history. It really resonated with me, reminding me why I love movies and cinema. I give Babylon, the masterpiece. 5 Stars!