Birth

Starring: Nicole Kidman, Lauren Bacall, Danny Huston, Arliss Howard, Peter Stormare, Ted Levine, Anne Heche, Cameron Bright
Directed by: Jonathan Glazer
Rating: R
Genre: Drama, Mystery, Romance
2004

Times Seen:
Tim: 1

Summary: A widow (Nicole Kidman) about to get remarried is shocked when a 10 year old boy (Cameron Bright) enters her life, claiming to be her deceased husband. She at first dismisses it, but he proves to know some of the most intimate details of her life. Soon, she begins to question whether her husband really is alive again.

Review:

Tim: This just is not a good movie. It looked stupid when I first heard about it, and I actually gave it a fair chance when I watched it. However, I could not help myself, it is just plain bad. You might be tempted to think a story about a woman meeting a 10 year old boy claiming to be her dead husband reincarnated would be interested. In this case, you would be wrong, it is just plain creepy (and not in a horror film positive sense of the word). The whole film just feels like a big mistake. The story takes an interesting concept, but cannot fully develop it into a full length motion picture.

Nicole Kidman is good, but she is in a role that allows her no means of salvation. She plays it bravely, but to no avail. The rest of the cast is lackluster at best. Anne Heche and Peter Stormare are particularly wasted in ridiculous roles. Cameron Bright isn't much better, although he's impressive for a kid his age. Watch his film, Godsend for another example of a crappy, quasi-supernatural thriller that doesn't quite cut it. That film that this one are both wrong sides to the same coin.

This film might be tempting because of its interesting premise, but it will only disappoint you. I get angry when films with potential like this one crap it all away. Kidman gets some applause for taking a different, daring role but ultimately, this was a poor career choice and she should have avoided this movie like I hope you will.

Rating 1-10
Tim's Rating: 4.5



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