A sumptuous film with beautiful cinematography and a lush soundtrack, but they're wasted on a film that boasts neither great scares or shocking plot twists.
Comment
10/29/04
Birth (2004)
39
%
Tomatometer
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Reviews Counted:136
Fresh:53
Rotten:83
Average Rating:5.2/10
Consensus: A well-mounted production is undermined by a muddled, absurd storyline of questionable taste.
Runtime: 1 hr 40 mins
Genre: Dramas
Synopsis: Maverick young filmmaker Jonathan Glazer affirms the promise of his brilliant debut, Sexy Beast, with his new film Birth, teaming with Academy Award® winner Nicole Kidman for a metaphysical love... [More]
Starring: Nicole Kidman, Danny Huston, Cameron Bright, Lauren Bacall
Director: Jonathan Glazer
Reviews for Birth
Turns into an unintentional creepshow because it sets up a 'love' affair between the 37-year-old Kidman and a 10-year-old boy.
10/29/04
In the context of the film, the scene where Anna and Sean make the rubber ducky blush is perfectly appropriate.
10/29/04
The movie doesn't have the courage to fully embrace the material -- neither the scandalousness of it, nor the psychological and metaphysical implications.
10/29/04
Despite its trappings, despite its style, Birth is just a tall tale with a short reach.
10/29/04
Birth is a haphazard discombobulated mess with a major talent drowning in the film's placenta-like goo.
10/29/04
Kidman takes care of the arty material like the great actress she is. And for what it's worth, Bright has an eerie look that you can't help but focus on.
10/29/04
Top CriticIts odd allure comes from the sad reality of its story. The monsters here are memories that won't leave, that we cling to and fall prey to, illusions that will not fade.
10/29/04
Begins taking turns that simply make no sense, even in this quasi-mystical context.
10/29/04
The film doesn't go nearly as far in exploring its central concept as it could have, but much of this material is in extremely poor taste.
10/29/04
Ambiguity can be an effective dramatic tool, but it also can result in unsatisfying evasions, which I'm afraid is the case here.
10/29/04
A mess, elegant at times, but a mess nonetheless.
10/29/04
An effective thriller precisely because it is true to the way sophisticated people might behave in this situation.
10/29/04
Top CriticBirth is entirely misconceived.
10/29/04
Such a meticulously wrought piece of hokum that it's both easy to admire and impossible to warm up to.
10/29/04
After building anticipation throughout most of the film, Glazer fizzles out near the end. ... Once again, a brilliant filmmaker falls victim to the sophomore slump.
10/29/04
“Birth” isn’t a horror film or even really a thriller, although it’s calm, deliberate pace does create a palpable and spellbinding tension.
10/29/04
It may compel at first, but Birth just doesn't deliver, especially for those looking for anything resembling a logical payoff.
10/29/04
This bizarre, surreal, even salacious drama, tackling one of society's ultimate taboos, is a creepy yet compelling metaphysical concept.
10/29/04
It might be an interesting premise, but it's a bit too pretentious to include the audience in the story.
10/29/04
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