In a recent interview, Margot Robbie described babylon like a cross between The good life and The Wolf of Wall Street. It is true that by visiting decadent old Hollywood at a time when everything changed because of the arrival of sound in the cinema, Damien Chazelle completely let go.
Gone is the romantic and sweet aspect of La La Landplace now in an orgiastic and excessive vision, where the sublime rubs shoulders with the grotesque, where the farce teases the drama, when it does not sink into bad taste or downright horror.
Despite this manifest desire to show behind the scenes and to flush out a narrative framework that runs counter to the official story, it nevertheless emanates from babylon an immeasurable love of the 7e art. This is above all what we will remember from this trip of a little over three hours which leaves practically no respite. It’s sometimes poignant, annoying at times, often messy (to the point where you wonder if Chazelle really knows where he’s going), but always entertaining. babylon is one of those unique experiences that mark the spirit.
In a story featuring an impressive number of characters – and a few hundred real extras evolving in real settings – we follow the journey of three characters in particular. First set in 1926, at a time when Los Angeles still had nothing of the megalopolis we know, the story begins with that of Manny Torres (Diego Calva), a young Mexican ready to do anything to land a job in the city of dreams. We meet him when he is hired to ensure the safe delivery of an elephant – yes, an elephant – to the home of an influential producer, where a grand party will take place.
It is by hearing about this evening that the apprentice actress Nellie LaRoy (Margot Robbie) goes there without any embarrassment, determined to be noticed and to become one of the biggest stars of the big screen. . During this evening completely drunk with music, dance, drugs, alcohol and sex, Nellie and Manny will sympathize and form a kind of team for the continuation of the things. Jack Conrad (Brad Pitt), star of silent cinema whose best days of professional life are rather behind than in front, will witness their rise.
Both hilarious and dramatic
After this scene worthy of the bacchanalia, which seems incredible so much it represents an extraordinary challenge of production, Damien Chazelle takes time to describe the journey of his three main characters over the following years, when the cinema is transformed not only in its technical aspect, but also in its very nature. We are now talking about a new industry where all artisans must adjust to another reality. In this respect, the filming scenes are very eloquent, both hilarious and dramatic.
PHOTO SCOTT GARFIELD, SUPPLIED BY PARAMOUNT PICTURES
In babylonMargot Robbie delivers a spectacular performance by slipping into the skin of an ambitious young actress, whom no inhibition seems to want to slow down.
Margot Robbie delivers a spectacular performance by slipping into the skin of an ambitious young woman, whom no inhibition seems to want to slow down. It burns the screen. Facing her, Diego Calva is a revelation. Brad Pitt is also remarkable in a more sober composition, well aware of the presence of his character, but also of his fragility.
Cinephiles keen on the history of cinema will certainly take pleasure in associating the various characters with the true craftsmen who inspired them, but this abundance ends up leaving a general impression of an improbable catch-all in which too many people participate. It will also be difficult to understand this episode starring Tobey Maguire (in the role of a completely crazy producer), whose strange tone fits very badly with the rest.
Fortunately, babylon (Babylon in French version) is overtaken by a very moving last act, during which the magic of cinema regains its rights. But at what cost ?
Drama
babylon (VF: Babylon)
Damien Chazelle
With Margot Robbie, Diego Calva, Brad Pitt
3:08 a.m.
Indoors