Ti West on BIRTH

Jonathan Glazer’s 2004 film, about a ten year old boy who claims to be the reincarnation of Nicole Kidman’s deceased husband, is part psychological thriller and part ghost story. Glazer (Under the Skin) explores the queasy ambiguities in the film’s premise with an elegant touch and though the movie received exceedingly mixed reviews upon its release, it has gained in favor and appears headed toward an inevitable cult status.

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[darkhearsttoys]

I don't see how anyone could say it's bad. It's a very well made movie, totally enthralling.

[victoriaindigo]

So glad to hear a positive review! I absolutely love this film. Nicole has that Rosemary's Baby haircut that works for the character and Anne Heche is amazing. The whole cast is great actually. And OMG the soundtrack and the cinematography create a mood for this set piece, it's like a period film set in modern NYC

[_hypergamy]

Phenomenal movie.. I managed to find a copy of it an DVD in my country in an opshop, as the movie has been out of print since it’s release.. totally bombed in Australia, but holy moly it’s an incredibly misunderstood masterpiece..

[OzuRay]

Terrific film. The first time I saw it I went in completely blind besides it just being recommended. I liked it but it was something so unexpected I didn't quite know what to make of it.

What West says about it examining its love story is what I find so fascinating. It doesn't hurt that Glazer also makes such visually compelling films as well.

And has Nicole Kidman given as good a performance since Birth? She's phenomenal in it.

[milesdorst]

Shying away from this movie because of its subject matter is understandable, but the filmmaking behind it is impeccable

[Derek_Smallshorts]

Want to walk around for days, shivering from an attack of disturbia? Jonathan Glazer is your man.

[JordanMgordan]

This movie has a lot of balls, and I think it puts a lot of people off because of how deep it's willing to go with its subject matter. 

I've yet to see Sexy Beast myself, but Birth and Under the Skin have made Glazer a filmmaker I intend to look out for. Birth really challenged me as a viewer to question how I was reacting to its content, which I think is a fantastic achievement for any film.

[rodolfocesarruizjimenez]

I'll see it tonight. Thank you for the wonderful review.

[Spractral]

Yeah i agree on all points... The directing reminds me of Kubrick too.. the long shots and the use of music...

I think people were probably unable to deal with the creepiness... There's certain lines that people are unable to cross.. lack of maturity or honesty.

[orpheus]

Good call, Mr. West. This movie has stuck with me ever since I saw when it first came out. It carries a different energy and a different sensibility than what commercial cinema usually provides - It's original in concept and I found it refreshing. And that Alexandre Desplat score, particularly in the film's opening sequence in the park, is stunning. People are now starting to come round to "Birth" again because it's Glazer, and anything Glazer makes should be seen. And if any of you reading this haven't seen "Under the Skin" yet, Glazer's third film, see it. Just know you're in for some shocks.

[brentulstad]

I couldn't help but feel a lot of Kubrick nods in Birth. The doorman bouncing his ball as he's also dressed like an old time hotel bellhop. The wonderous classical music throughout but especially that incredible long one shot of Nicole entering the symphony and the slow zoom in on her face. And the cinematography throughout with Nicole especially only a few years after Eyes Wide Shut. Stanley Kubrick would have loved this movie.

[plasticvision]

well y'know, Vertigo wasn't received well upon release either

[Sy-wmmk]

this one didn't get the best director and the best laeding actress nom are the biggest shame of Academy in the decade. also, it proved a cruel fact that we don't need so many floater critics, sometimes one Roger who can point out what the true masterpiece is precisely, is enough.

[film]

I love this film, I don't think the reviews were that bad. I think the good critics liked it pretty well.

[flrnce]

Funny to think how far this guy has come now that he’s been hard at work with his X trilogy

[LadyEng]

I liked the film, I loved the performances but I really cringed at the situations between adult and child that felt creepy. Still, I wouldn´t call it abusive but I had to look away at times.

[briankelley]

I prefer Meet Joe Black but this was good

[Tyler]

to me sean did exist in the little boy from the time sean died in the tunnel from the time his sister has a child (i think its his sister i could be wrong) i even feel like the title of the film being "birth" emphaizes this too, especially considering the birth of sean in the young boy starts as adult sean runs into the tunnel resembling a sperm making it into the egg in the beginning of the film. its also interesting that the sister is told by someone that they thought she couldnt have children, its almost like she wasnt supposed to have the child in the first place and maybe if so sean would have grown up from that boy

[timgriffin]

Didn't it win the Golden Lion at Venice???