November 5, 2024
Babylon
I’m not a big fan of musicals but there is a distinction with which Babylon director Damien Chazelle handles his films. Despite being heavy on music you never feel like the plot is being dragged rather the music complements and pushes the plot forward. The quality of the composed pieces are phenomenal. Whiplash is one of my favorite films of the 2010s. The film was nominated for 5 Oscars out which it won three: Best Actor in a Supporting Role (J.K. Simmons), Best Sound Mixing (Craig Mann, Ben Wilkins, Thomas Curley ) and Best Film Editing (Tom Cross). I believe Simmons has given his best performance in this film. Off the heels of Whiplash’s success, Chazelle came out with another film- La La Land (2016). The film starred Emma Stone and Ryan Gosling. This film too was surrounded around music and was an absolute visual and narrative treat.
It performed great at the box office as well as garnered critical acclaim. The film was nominated for a record tying 14 awards and out of which the film won 6: Best Director (Damien Chazelle), Best Actress (Emma Stone), Best Cinematography (Sandgren), Best Original Score (Hurwitz), Best Original Song (“City of Stars”), and Best Production Design (the Wascos). It almost won Best Picture until “correct” envelope was delivered to the presenter. With this, Chazelle (32) became the youngest person to win an Oscar and Golden Globe for Directing in the same year. Naturally after two great films, I was always excited for what Chazelle would do next. However, he was dormant for a while until we got the update that he is working on a new feature film – Babylon.
We’ve been hearing a lot of things about his new film and honestly based on the images and first trailer, the film looked like an absolute treat to watch just like Chazelle’s other works. As the release date of the film is inching closer and closer, the promotion for the same has picked up. In the process for the same, we’ve gotten the official trailer for the film. Spoiler alert, its absolutely explosive.

Babylon Trailer Is Absolutely Hilarious and Epic!

This is what a proper trailer looks like, long but not because it is explaining the story, it is because there is too much chaos to explain and the audience is always guessing. We’re barely given moment to capture or get sense of what exactly is this film about? We don’t have any details of the plot. It has been very intentionally kept under the lid. Based on the trailer and the information that has been made available to us, this is what I think the plot is: Brad Pitt stars as Jack Conrad, a party-loving superstar in his late prime, whereas, Robbie plays Nellie LaRoy, a talented young actress, whose recent breakthrough performance has made heads turn.

The images in the trailer don’t fail capture the lust for fame in 1920s Hollywood. The sets look lavish and each character so distinct. The film is supposed to be different period piece and both of these things are a major requirement. While I thought we’ll get to see more of Tobey Maguire’s character however, his screen time in the trailer was limited but he does look absolutely sinister. The trailer mostly focuses on Margot Robbie, Brad Pitt and Diego Calva who has a French accent in the film.

The film is going to present us with much darker characters and themes than Chazelle’s previous works. However, the themes would reminiscent as this film too plays with themes like ambition, love, lust for success. These themes are predominant in Chazelle’s filmography. In comparison the trailer has more of a fun, dark comedic vibe. All I know is this is a film you have to watch on the big screen. The trailer looks fantastic as well. I’m extremely excited for Babylon.

The film has been made on an hefty budget of $110 Million and we can see where the money has gone. Babylon stars Brad Pitt and Margot Robbie in the lead with supporting performances from Diego Calva, Jovan Adepo, Li Jun Li, Jean Smart, and Tobey Maguire.

Watch the Full Trailer of Babylon on YouTube:

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