Biutiful (2010)

This is the story of Uxbal, a man living in this world, but able to see his death, which guides his every move.

Director:

Alejandro González Iñárritu

Writers:

Alejandro González Iñárritu (screenplay), Nicolás Giacobone (screenplay),

Stars:

Javier Bardem, Maricel Álvarez, Hanaa Bouchaib

Nominated for 2 Oscars. Another 16 wins & 33 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Javier Bardem	...	Uxbal
Maricel Álvarez	...	Marambra
Hanaa Bouchaib	...	Ana
Guillermo Estrella	...	Mateo
Eduard Fernández	...	Tito
Cheikh Ndiaye	...	Ekweme
Diaryatou Daff	...	Ige
Taisheng Chen	...	Hai (as Taishen Cheng)
Jin Luo	...	Liwei
George Chibuikwem Chukwuma	...	Samuel
Lang Sofia Lin	...	Li
Yodian Yang	...	Chino Obeso
Tuo Lin	...	Barman Bar Hai
Xueheng Chen	...	Chino Bodega
Xiaoyan Zhang	...	Jung

Storyline

Uxbal, single father of two children, finds his life in chaos as he is forced to deal with his life in order to escape the heat of crime in underground Barcelona, to break with the love for the divorced, manic depressive, abusive mother of his children and to regain spiritual insight in his life as he is diagnosed with terminal cancer.

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Plot Keywords:

illegal immigrant | children | immigrant | single father | chinese | 

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Genres:

Drama

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for disturbing images, language, some sexual content, nudity and drug use

Details

Official Sites:

Official site Official site [de]

Country:

Mexico Spain

Language:

Spanish Chinese Wolof

Release Date:

22 October 2010 (Mexico)

Also Known As:

Biutipuli

Filming Locations:

Navarra, Spain

Box Office

Opening Weekend:

£156,029 (UK) (28 January 2011)

Gross:

$5,100,937 (USA) (3 June 2011)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Menageatroz, Mod Producciones, Focus Features

Technical Specs

Runtime:

148 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Javier Bardem's part in this film is the first time that a performance entirely in the Spanish Language has been nominated for an Academy Award Best Actor Oscar.

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Goofs

In the scene with the three dead boys, as people are filing out while Uxbal stands at the door, the foot visible in the coffin nearest the door moves.

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Quotes

Uxbal: When he was 20, he fled Spain to avoid the death penalty but died two weeks later in Mexico, of pneumonia.

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Connections

Featured in Ebert Presents: At the Movies: Episode #1.1 (2011)

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Soundtracks

"Loco (Tu Forma de Ser)"
Performed by Los Auténticos Decadentes
Courtesy of Sony Music Entertainment México S.A. De C.V.
(p) 1989 BMG Ariola Argentina S.A.
Publishing Emi Music Publishing

User Reviews

Javier Bardem's haunting performance is the true ''beauty'' of Biutiful.

First of all this wasn't Iñárritu's best movie so far, and frankly if it wasn't for Bardem this movie wouldn't have gotten the recognition and the ''buzz'' it acquired. It's a bleak film, uncompromising, unsentimental, but humane and real, which affirms that idea that redemption is possible for anyone. Every moment is thoughtful and compelling. There's no Hollywood glitz here, no whitewashing or wishful thinking. Despite the dark, depressed subject matter of the movie, it relayed important messages such as love of family, parental responsibilities, and forgiveness. The director had too many ideas but overall Bardem is the one who is carrying the movie on his shoulders and giving the performance of his career.