Terrorism and Illegal Immigration
Although Babel isn't a particularly political movie, two hot-button issues come up in it. One of these is terrorism. When an American is shot in Morocco, nearly everyone jumps to the incorrect conclusion it was a deliberate act by Islamists, triggering responses that make the situation worse.
The other political issue touched on in the film is illegal immigration. A Mexican character who relocated to the United States without going through legal channels and worked there for many years is deported. Because the character is lovable, we are sympathetic to her plight.
About the Title
Babel takes its title from Genesis 11:1-9. The Bible story is that humankind all spoke one language until there was an attempt to build a tower to heaven. God reacted to this by making people speak different languages and scattering them across the Earth.
The film dramatizes what it means to live in the polyglot world we find ourselves in today. Modern mobility and communications have brought an interconnectedness that is unprecedented, and we all ought to work at thinking beyond our own language group and the geographic locale where we live. The character in the movie perhaps best embodying the ideal we should strive for is the Moroccan tour guide who aids the American couple in trouble.
DVD Details
The Babel DVD provides no bonus materials other than the theatrical trailer. Below I've listed the DVD details.
Release Date: February 20, 2007
Widescreen (1.85:1), Color
Feature Film Run Time: 2 Hours 23 Minutes
MPAA Rating: R for Violence, Some Graphic Nudity, Sexual Content, Language and Some Drug Use
English 5.1 Dolby Digital
English 2.0 Surround
French 5.1 Dolby Digital
English Subtitles
Spanish Subtitles
Theatrical Trailer
Return to Beginning of Review
