IMDb > 21 Grams (2003)
21 Grams
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21 Grams (2003) -- A freak accident brings together a critically ill mathematician (Penn), a grieving mother (Watts) and a born-again ex-con (Del Toro).
21 Grams (2003) -- Theatrical Preview
21 Grams (2003) -- ZuGuide.com - Trailer (Flash)
21 Grams (2003) -- Trailerfan.com - Trailer (Flash)
21 Grams (2003) -- Sinematurk - Trailer (Flash)

Overview

User Rating:
7.9/10   70,521 votes
MOVIEmeter: ?
Up 8% in popularity this week. See why on IMDbPro.
Writer (WGA):
Guillermo Arriaga (written by)
Contact:
View company contact information for 21 Grams on IMDbPro.
Release Date:
26 December 2003 (USA) more
Genre:
Crime | Drama | Thriller more
Tagline:
Difference between dead and life more
Plot:
A freak accident brings together a critically ill mathematician (Penn), a grieving mother (Watts) and a born-again ex-con (Del Toro). full summary | full synopsis
Awards:
Nominated for 2 Oscars. Another 20 wins & 34 nominations more
User Comments:
A Small Taste of Tragedy and Beauty more (507 total)

Cast

  (Cast overview, first billed only)
Create a character page for: ?

Additional Details

MPAA:
Rated R for language, sexuality, some violence and drug use.
Runtime:
124 min
Country:
USA
Language:
English
Color:
Color
Aspect Ratio:
1.85 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
DTS | Dolby Digital
Filming Locations:
Memphis, Tennessee, USA more

Fun Stuff

Trivia:
Naomi Watts accepted the role without reading the script first. more
Goofs:
Audio/visual unsynchronized: When the Private Investigator gives Paul the revolver, he flips it open to show that it is loaded. He then spins the cylinder and we hear a ratcheting sound. When a revolver is open, there is no ratchet mechanism connected to the cylinder...it rotates freely and silently. more
Quotes:
[first lines]
Michael: Check, please.
Cathy: Look Daddy, a volcano.
[Cathy blows bubbles into her soft drink]
Michael: It's very pretty. Drink up your volcano. All right. We're going. Mommy's waiting.
Cathy: Daddy, please. Just one more minute.
more
Movie Connections:
Referenced in "ER: 21 Guns (#12.22)" (2006) more
Soundtrack:
Can We Get Together more

FAQ

This FAQ is empty. Add the first question.
67 out of 84 people found the following comment useful.
A Small Taste of Tragedy and Beauty, 20 December 2004
9/10
Author: Jeff (HardKnockLife210@aol.com) from Rock Hill, South Carolina

When lives collide, often no one is around to witness the effects of the collision. Alejandro González Iñárritu, however, has captured the profound effects in 21 Grams. How much does life weigh? Iñárritu may not answer that question directly, but he does indirectly answer the question darkly and beautifully in 21 Grams.

21 Grams tells the story of three lives brought together by tragedy: the life of a very sick man (Penn), a mother who has lost much (Watts), and a Christian who has recently reformed his ways (Del Toro). Really, these characters and their once-"simple" lives are the focus of this film, and all three characters are mysterious and deep. Each of the three actors gives an excellent performance, but it is Watts who stands out in all her angst. All of them deserved Academy Award nominations, and Penn would've received one along with Watts and Del Toro if not for his incredible performance in Mystic River.

Arriaga's screenplay is incredible too, leaving the outcome inexplicable enough to be real and to make sense. Santaolalla's score is odd enough to fit the dark atmosphere that pervades the film, and stick around for the credits to hear Dave Matthews' fitting conclusion. Also, Prieto's and Procopio's cinematography is gritty enough to depict the unbearable anguish of the characters.

I would praise the direction as well, except that I do have one complaint regarding it. It is often so choppy and irregular that it causes the story to lose a tiny bit of its impact. Perhaps this choppiness fits the film too, but to me it was distracting.

Yet you should definitely check this one out for a sorrowful picture of torment, disgust, and a strange beauty.

Final Grade: A.

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Message Boards

Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for 21 Grams (2003)
Recent Posts (updated daily)User
How old was Paul Rivers? jewelparsons1234
Charlotte Gainsbourg ugh naveron
TURKEY'S DONE! gurn23
The ending, why did Paul *spoiler*? rotarygirl
Penn's character is one of the most disliked I've ever seen NineInches9
best movie ever! does anyone know any movie like this? faraz_84
more

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