Birth (2004)

A young boy attempts to convince a woman that he is her dead husband reborn.

Director:

Jonathan Glazer

Writers:

Jean-Claude Carrière, Milo Addica

Stars:

Nicole Kidman, Cameron Bright, Lauren Bacall

Nominated for 1 Golden Globe. Another 2 wins & 17 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Nicole Kidman	...	Anna
Cameron Bright	...	Young Sean
Danny Huston	...	Joseph
Lauren Bacall	...	Eleanor
Alison Elliott	...	Laura
Arliss Howard	...	Bob
Michael Desautels	...	Sean
Anne Heche	...	Clara
Peter Stormare	...	Clifford
Ted Levine	...	Mr. Conte
Cara Seymour	...	Mrs. Conte
Joe M. Chalmers	...	Sinclair
Novella Nelson	...	Lee
Zoe Caldwell	...	Mrs. Hill
Charles Goff	...	Mr. Drummond

Storyline

Anna is a young widow who is finally getting on with her life after the death of her husband, Sean. Now engaged to be married, Anna meets a ten-year-old boy who tells her he is Sean reincarnated. Though his story is both unsettling and absurd, Anna can't get the boy out of her mind. And much to the concern of her fiancé, her increased contact with him leads her to question the choices she has made in her life.

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Plot Keywords:

kubrickian | death | reincarnation | boy | widow | 

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Taglines:

Be careful what you wish for.

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Genres:

Drama | Fantasy | Mystery | Thriller

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for sexuality

Details

Official Sites:

Metropolitan Filmexport [France] New Line Cinema

Country:

UK France Germany USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

29 October 2004 (USA)

Also Known As:

Reencarnación

Filming Locations:

1136 Fifth Avenue, Manhattan, New York City, New York, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$20,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$1,705,577, 31 October 2004

Gross USA:

$5,005,883

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$23,925,492

Company Credits

Production Co:

New Line Cinema, Fine Line Features, Lou Yi Inc.

Technical Specs

Runtime:

100 min

Sound Mix:

DTS Dolby Digital SDDS

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

At the symphony, when Anna is reacting to her encounter with the Young Sean, the zoom-in on her face lasts a full 2 minutes.

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Goofs

In the second bath scene near the end of the movie, the amount of mud on Sean's face changes between shots.

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Quotes

[first lines]
Voice of Sean: Ok, let me say this.
[sighs]
Voice of Sean: Let me say this. If I lost my wife and, and uh, the next day a little bird landed on my windowsill, looked me right in the eye, and in plain English said, 'Sean, it's me, Anna. I'm back' What could I say? I guess I'd believe her. Or I'd want to. I'd be stuck with a bird. But other than that, no. I'm a man of science. I just don't believe that mumbo-jumbo. Now, that's gonna have to be the last question. I need to go running before I head home.

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Connections

References Rosemary's Baby (1968)

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Soundtracks

Happy Birthday
(1893)
Written by Patty S. Hill & Mildred J. Hill (as Mildred Hill)

User Reviews

I am still intrigued days after seeing the film.

I had heard ALL of the negative reviews and comments on this film but I absolutely adore Nicole Kidman, I knew I'd see this film no matter what people said. I'm SO glad I did.

The story has it's faults. There is no introduction of characters, there's nothing to compare the life of Anna and Sean before to what is happening in the film at the present between Anna and the young Sean and I believe there is a purpose behind that. It could be that the filmmaker wanted to show off Cameron Bright, in the role of young Sean, or it could be that telling that part of the story would hinder the telling of the story in the present. I believe that Nicole Kidman portrayed and gave the audience exactly what her and Sean's relationship meant to her and how it has controlled her all these years. Even at the end you see the pain she is enduring.

I was prepared for the bathtub scene and I have to say that all interaction between young Sean and Anna was very tastefully done. The director put forth a love story. You had to get sucked into it, otherwise you wouldn't get what he was trying to tell.

I would recommend this movie to those who are intellectually inclined. Not to say that you HAVE to be to see it but I think it will be much more appreciated by those who can see past the actual interactions and delve deep into the story being told. If you've ever been in love, a love that encompassed you so deeply, you'll relate to this story for sure.

Even after days of seeing it, I am still intrigued. I actually didn't piece together what occurred at the end until I was walking out of the theatre. Still today I am pondering aspects of it. I'm still feeling poor Anna's pain of loving Sean so much.

Awesome job. I think the young Cameron Bright has a wonderful career ahead of him. He made me believe!