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Few directors are on as hot a streak as Damien Chazelle, with his run of Whiplash, La La Land and First Man earning the 38-year-old great critical acclaim. The youngest winner of the Best Director Oscar, Chazelle's reputation and success has allowed him to venture out with a passion project, Babylon,further showcasing his craft whilst displaying his love for old Hollywood and, of course, Jazz. For Chazelle, Babylon is the most divisive film of his career to date and with good reason as Chazelle boldly offers up something very different to what we've seen from him yet, to varying success.
Set in the early stages of Hollywood with sound and colour yet to be incorporated, Babylon is very much a love letter from Chazelle to the advancement of filmmaking in quite a jovial manner. With a comedic light tone apparent, Chazelle with great humour looks at many acts of yesteryear that went into creating waves of pictures. From war epics to routine dramas and comedies, the technological advancements are clear as Chazelle depicts humorous scenes involving these changes to Hollywood. This aspect is Babylon's greatest strength, with several hilarious set pieces being formed around the way things were handled and how they were changing through soundstages, sound mixing and much more.
(Photo Fetched From SFGATE)
Alongside this, we follow a sleuth of excessive characters all within the industry who also have to adapt to the changes, otherwise they will be left behind. For some, the new rise in opportunity is exciting and opens doors not thought to have been possible for many. For others, there is the struggle to adapt to the new demands, with new tasks for the actors, audiences reacting differently, failed ventures and the standard these people were held to in societal circles. Throw in a copious amount of drug and gambling problems amongst other personal battles and you have a well-rounded narrative that showcases the well documented highs and lows that come with these lifestyles. QWith as masterful an eye as Chazelle's behind the camera and gorgeous sets and costumes, these set pieces are wonderfully sculpted as Chazelle continues to show his incredible talent as a director.
Strangely, though, as the film approaches its final hour, it diverts into a completely different direction, shifting from the business and the more enjoyable characters we've seen into something totally bizarre. The performances of Margot Robbie and Brad Pitt are brilliant as two of the most eccentric and entertaining characters, but we are transferred to a segment centring around Diego Calva's character. Although a strong performance, he doesn't have the presence of his A list counterparts but this isn't where the issue lies, its all to do with the route the film takes. Where the film had landed previously with its comedy, it doesn't have nearly the same effect. It's here where the films runtime appears to begin to drag as this storyline feels wildly out of place. Tobey Maguire is unsettlingly creepy in a highlight but it's perhaps just too weird a turn amongst the rest of the film.
Solid final moments wraps things up nicely in the end, reverting back to its focus on the film industry and its continued growth, making the previous act all the more puzzling. Babylon is certainly an intriguing feature which will certainly divide opinions with its runtime, use of charactersand much more but its exploration of the development of the industry is an enjoyable one. There is plenty to marvel about with Chazelle's latest venture, with a lot showing why he is one of the most exciting directors working today. A lot hits its target whilst others not so much, making it no surprise as to there being a mixed reception to this wonderfully weird film.
Rating: 4/5
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