How do you want to be remembered when everything is said and done? To some, that question follows them daily and influences every decision that they make even if it means stepping over people, for others it doesn’t really matter at the end of the day. Remembrance and being famous usually go hand and hand, for most characters in a Damien Chazelle story, becoming something bigger than what they are is usually at the center of that story. Just like in his previous films (Whiplash, La La Land, First Man) Babylon pulls no punches while introducing you to what Hollywood (from the perspective of Chazelle) was like in the late 1920s, in the wildest, outrageous, and incredible way.
The movie primarily follows three characters as we see their rise and fall in the industry as it transitions from Silent films into talkies (movies with sound). Margot Robbie continues her streak of working with great directors as she plays Nellie LaRoy, she aspires to become an actress and has all the natural talent in the world. But her dreams and desires are overtaken by her demons (Masterfully done by Margot). Brad Pitt plays Jack Conrad, who is the biggest film star during that time and brings all the subtleness, charisma, and charm that only Brad Pitt can bring to roles like these, everything he does is a choice, he delivers some incredible lines and monologues that really make you understand what Jack Conrad is all about. For someone who has portrayed a multitude of roles, his turn in Babylon may be the best of his career.
Ultimately though the breakout star of this film is Diego Calva as Manny Torres, the story spans his whole life from his humble beginnings as a low-level assistant who has dreams and desperately wants to leave a legacy in Hollywood. After one of the wildest and craziest parties that have ever been captured on screen, Manny sparks a friendship with Nellie LaRoy while also unwillingly becoming Jack’s assistant and getting his chance at stardom. For someone who hasn’t been in that many films up to this point, the way that he was able to match wits with Margot Robbie and Brad Pitt almost effortlessly was beautiful to watch. Even though the runtime is just about three hours, there weren’t any parts that felt unnecessary or where I was checking the clock, I was fully enthralled and fully engulfed in this wild period. Babylon is certainly worth watching and experiencing in theaters, Damien Chazelle has crafted something that has all the emotions, spectacle, and everything you want in a film.