21 grams-An editing masterpiece

I was filled with apprehensions when i began watching this movie. I had already watched the tamizh version of it-"sarvam" and the tam version was real bad. The screenplay was sagging and the chemistry of the lead actors and the impact was just not there.


But seriously, what made the big difference between the english and the tam versions was the superb editing and the screenplay in the former. The screenplay moves backward and forward(of course one direction at a time :D) much like Nolan-ish movies. And essentially what makes this happen is the editing...


Right from the initial introduction of the characters to the narration of their "parellel stories" together, the screenplay was real razy. The best part was even the dialogues had a sense of continuity. 


Sample this: Somewhere in the middle of the movie(its been a while since i saw the movie...so i dont know exactly the moment it happens), there is a talk about drinks and glasses, and cut, you see a tray of drinks aligned for a party that night. This party takes place in a different character's story and its in the past. Thats good editing for you.


Same follows in the gun shots that happen in a hotel room, and the continuity in dialogue between that scene and the scenes that happen in the past.


The accident, which is pretty much the turning point of the movie, wasnt shown one bit (sounds like "Reservoir dogs" right...ya, the accident scene was pretty much like it...but this movie is no way a match to Tarentino's masterpiece) and this accident was revealed pretty much late into the screenplay. (in the tam version however, for the purpose of dramatization of this accident, the director showed it infinite times during the first half itself, which meant you literally slept through those scenes in the second).


One thing which was pretty much a horn in the rose was the romance part. I mean, the main guy loses love for his wife who dedicated all her energies to him while he was sick, and goes after the wife of the guy who donated him his heart. I mean, come on guys, you need to show some respect to your god-damn wives. This sort of a romantic interlude was totally unwarrented. And the first scene in the movie only reinforced this (both the women sucked anyway).


Despite all the crispness and stuff, the climax, was a bit off a let down except for the cheesy lines and explanations about 21 grams. But who cares, just watch it for its technicalities, the screenplay and the editing.


I didnt lose 21 grams after I saw this movie, but i did after i saw "sarvam" :D


cheers,