Babylon * * * * *

I was overseas when Babylon came out, but today I finally caught up with it.  

They say its dividing audiences.  If it is you you can put me on the pro-Babylon side.  I loved it!  It's unapologetically crazy, exaggerated, decadent, outrageous, provocative, funny, incomparably glamorous, and highly entertaining.   

All I could think is, 'How could anyone not like this?!"  At three hours it may be too long but I have to concede there is never a dull moment. I cannot say that every scene is necessary, but I will acknowledge every scene is good. Really good.  

Three reasons to love Babylon.

It's set about a 100 years ago.  The film industry was in it's infancy but already it had bestowed fame on people, such as the world had never known. They called them "Stars"

Babylon commences with the transportation of an elephant.  Shades of  entertainment at The Roman Colosseum, for the elephant is going to a film industry party in a remote location.   We're invited. The party runs for an entire thirty minutes of drunken, bacchanal, drug fueled, sexual indulgence; and it's not until the end of the scene that the films title is splashed on the screen!  I don't think I have ever seen such a grandiose introduction. Full immersion. 

It's at the party that we meet our principal characters: Jack Conrad.  a film star of unassailable stature, Nellie LaRoy, a brassy wannabe who gate crashes, Mano, a humble Mexican who works as the elephant handler,  (He is played with admirable confidence by newcomer Diego Calva).  Then there is Lady Fay, an Asian singer performer - the epitome of classy oriental sexiness; and Sidney Palmer, a trumpet playing band leader. Talking of which, the music, most of which features Sidney's band and his playing, is hair raising. It is based on the jazz and dance bands of that era but muscled up to the max. It thumps!  

With almost equal focus on the three main characters -  Jack, Nellie and Mano -  it is hard to say who is the real lead, but most of the action orbits around Mano, his ascension, and his hopeless love for Nellie,  gloriously portrayed by Margot Robbie.  

Nellie is a reckless determined girl who is ready to fight for what she wants - along with using her considerable physical assets. Brad Pitt is excellent as always and brings much humor and pathos to the role of the celebrated handsome Movie Star, Jack Conrad.

After witnessing breathtaking, hilarious scenes of movie making in the twenties, the story moves toward the sweeping change that "talkies" brought to film, along with the rise and fall of each character as their lives intertwine with each other. 

It has be admitted Babylon frequently borders on parody but it walks the line so well that you really do care for the characters. The heart and soul of each of them is on display through all the madness and chaos - of which there is an overwhelming amount! 

There is just too much here to reference. But the dead body at the party, the man v snake fight, the mad rush to get a camera, the strike break, the frustration of recording in sound, asking a black man to go even blacker are all magnificent scenes. If this movie contained just one or two like this it would be memorable, but there are dozens. It's such a cornucopia I wonder if some viewers have become indifferent to Babylon's generosity.  Incidentally, there is a brilliant cameo from Jake Gyllenhaal as a truly vile character.  

After the previous films from Damien Chazelle, like the excellent Whiplash, La La Land,  and First Man, some say Babylon is disappointing, but for me Chazelle is boldly taking the next step up - or is that a leap?  

Babylon the film presents itself the same way as its characters, which is, "love me or get lost!" It has no choice. From the opening scene there is an elephant in the room - literally.  I love it's approach (especially after having just seen the begging, insidious Tar.)

As I said, I was overseas when this came out.  When I was in Italy I visited the  Federico Fellini Museum in Rimini.  I  might be wrong, but reflecting on what I saw there I couldn't help but wonder how much Mr. Fellini might admire this extraordinary bold work. 

As for myself, I can't stop thinking about it.
(5)