21 Grams (2003)

A freak accident brings together a critically ill mathematician, a grieving mother, and a born-again ex-con.

Director:

Alejandro G. Iñárritu (as Alejandro González Iñárritu)

Writer:

Guillermo Arriaga

Stars:

Sean Penn, Benicio Del Toro, Naomi Watts

Nominated for 2 Oscars. Another 30 wins & 77 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Sean Penn	...	Paul Rivers
Naomi Watts	...	Cristina Peck
Danny Huston	...	Michael
Carly Nahon	...	Cathy
Claire Pakis	...	Laura
Benicio Del Toro	...	Jack Jordan
Nick Nichols	...	Boy
Charlotte Gainsbourg	...	Mary Rivers
John Rubinstein	...	Gynecologist
Eddie Marsan	...	Reverend John
Loyd Keith Salter	...	Fat Man
Antef A. Harris	...	Basketball Guy
Melissa Leo	...	Marianne Jordan
Marc Musso	...	Freddy (as Marc Thomas Musso)
Teresa Delgado	...	Gina

Storyline

Paul Rivers, an ailing mathematician lovelessly married to English émigré; Christina Peck, who's hiding a secret past; and Jack Jordan, an ex-convict who has found Jesus are brought together by a terrible accident which - dum-da-dum - 'changes their lives'.

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Plot Keywords:

sex in bed | breasts | unfaithfulness | extramarital affair | female nudity | 

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Taglines:

Difference between dead and life

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Genres:

Crime | Drama | Thriller

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for language, sexuality, some violence and drug use

Did You Know?

Trivia

The film was shot almost completely with hand-held cameras.

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Goofs

When Jack falls onto the ground clutching his head after Paul has fired off several shots into the dirt, you can briefly see an ear plug in Jack's ear.

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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.

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Crazy Credits

Thanks to ÁLos amo!

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Connections

Featured in 21 Grams: In Fragments (2004)

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Soundtracks

Cumbia De Los Muertos
(1998)
Written by Asdrubal Sierra, Chali 2na, Will-Dog Abers (as Willy Abers),
Raul Pacheco (as Raul Pacheco Jr.), Ulises Bella (as Ulises Baldomero Bella),
, Jose Espinosa (as Jose Ines Espinosa), William Marrufo, Justin Poree,
, Jiro Yamaguchi and Cut Chemist (as Lucas Christian MacFadden)
Performed by Ozomatli
Courtesy of Almo Sounds, Inc.
By Arrangement with Natural Energy Lab

User Reviews

Undone by Plodding Script

Inarritu's considers "Amores Perros", this film, and "Babel" a trilogy on the themes of family and communication breakdown. "Amores Perros" is a fine film, brimming with energy and fresh ideas while "Babel" is an amazing piece of work, self-assured and highly engrossing. "21 Grams," the middle film is a big letdown, compared to its companions. Like the other two films, it plays with time and touches on multiple story lines. However, moving about in time only adds to the confusion of an already muddled story. Inarritu tries but cannot breathe much life into the weak and plodding script. The cast is good but the actors also fail to make their pathetic characters interesting.

Details

Official Sites:

Bim Distribuzione [Italy]

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

16 January 2004 (USA)

Also Known As:

21 Grams

Filming Locations:

Memphis, Tennessee, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$20,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$274,454, 23 November 2003

Gross USA:

$16,290,476

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$60,427,839

Company Credits

Production Co:

This Is That Productions, Y Productions, Mediana Productions Filmgesellschaft

Technical Specs

Runtime:

124 min

Sound Mix:

DTS Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1