A Visual Experience not to be missed :- Especially on the Big Screen
.An incredible creation of extravaganza and outrageous images , from Director Alejandro G. Iñárritu who brought us Amores Perros, 21 Grams, Babel and more recently Birdman. He has more or less created an autobiography of his own life
It probably needs to be seen twice as there is so much to seen in the 160 minutes of the film and at the same time absorb the story of the history of Mexico and America in the early years of Cortez and the awful Mexico – America war (mainly awful for Mexico) There is also the Mexico and U.S of today with the desire to make it in the USA and leave a life of poverty and gangs and violence, and make it rich and successful in the USA. The beautiful scenes of Mexico City and L.A and fancy resorts add to these desires and guilt.
.The acting is superb and performances by Daniel Giménez Cacho who plays Silvario (aka Alejandro) and Griselda Siciliani who plays his wife Lucia are outstanding, as well as the performances of his 2 children. The dynamics between Silvario and his children add so much to the film especially in their attitudes to Mexico and America and the age gap differences to what they want and need as opposed to their parents.
Silvario’s guilt growing up in Mexico City, but then leaving and going to live in LA shows up in many instances, but mostly justified as the right move. He is despised by both friends and fellow journalists who at the same time are envious and we are made aware of his conscience and awareness of what others think. (No Spoilers – you just have to see the film!).
I think the second time will add more to the entertaining factors as the incredible Visuals are absorbed.
The word Bardo originates from a Buddhist term for an in-between or transitional state of living and dying. Silvario is in this state as he plays his role as Alejandro.