21 Grams (2003)
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Three lives become inextricably linked following a tragic hit-and-run accident.
The story
The film follows three individuals whose lives are intertwined by a tragic hit-and-run accident. Paul Rivers, a mathematics professor with a fatal heart condition, receives a transplant from the victim of the accident. Jack Jordan, a former convict seeking redemption through faith, is haunted by the guilt of the crime he committed. Cristina Peck, a recovering addict, is left devastated by the loss of her family. The narrative unfolds in a non-linear fashion, weaving these three separate storylines together as they navigate the physical and emotional consequences of the tragedy, eventually converging as their paths collide in a complex web of grief, survival, and shared connection.
Full plot (contains spoilers)
The story is told in a nonlinear manner. Jack Jordan, a former convict, is struggling with his faith and the guilt of a hit-and-run accident that killed a family. Paul Rivers, a mathematician with a failing heart, receives the heart of the victim's husband. Cristina Peck, the survivor of the accident, is devastated and returns to drug use. Paul eventually finds and connects with Cristina, and the two begin a relationship born of mutual need. As Paul's body begins to reject the transplant, Cristina becomes obsessed with getting revenge on Jack. They eventually track him down. In a tense confrontation, Paul is unable to kill Jack, and later, in a struggle, Paul is shot and dies. Jack is released from his self-imposed exile, and Cristina is left to face her future alone, eventually preparing for a child she is carrying. The film uses distinct color palettes and film stocks to differentiate the three narratives.
- First release year
- 2003
- Runtime (minutes)
- 124
- Production countries
- United States
- Original languages
- English
- Directors
- Alejandro González Iñárritu
- Writers
- Guillermo Arriaga · writer
- Cast and characters
- Sean Penn · Paul Rivers; Naomi Watts · Cristina Peck; Benicio del Toro · Jack Jordan; Charlotte Gainsbourg; Danny Huston
- Genres
- crime thriller; crime drama
- Themes
- guilt; fate; redemption; consequences
- Tone and mood
- haunting; gritty
- Premise and plot tags
- non-linear narrative; multi-protagonist; interconnected stories
- Franchise connections
- Trilogy of Death
- Reception
- The film received generally favorable reviews from critics, who praised the direction, screenplay, and performances.
- Reported review scores
- Rotten Tomatoes · score: 80% · scale: percentage · review count: 177; Metacritic · score: 70 · scale: 100 · review count: 41
- Awards and nominations
- Academy Awards · Best Actress · nomination; Academy Awards · Best Supporting Actor · nomination
- Production trivia
- The film was produced on a $20 million budget and grossed $60.4 million.
Film metadata comes from the open sources listed in Credits & Contact. Catalogue details may be incomplete.
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