Bardo
Bardo

Movie spotlight

Bardo

2019
Movie
135 min
English

An idealistic teacher starting in a new school and changing the conventional way of teaching to completely shatter the expectations of parents and teachers about some students

Insights

IMDb6.4/10
Rotten Tomatoes57%
Metacritic64/100
Google Users69%
Director: Alejandro G. IñárrituGenres: Drama, Comedy, Fantasy

Plot Summary

A Mexican journalist and documentary filmmaker living in Los Angeles returns to his native country, confronting his identity, memories, and the profound absurdity of his life. Through a series of surreal and visually striking sequences, he grapples with his fears, his successes, and the existential questions of his existence. The film is a deeply personal and introspective journey into the mind of an artist confronting his past and his present.

Critical Reception

Bardo received mixed to positive reviews from critics, with many praising Iñárritu's ambitious vision, stunning visuals, and Daniel Giménez Cacho's central performance. However, some critics found the film overly long, self-indulgent, and its allegorical nature to be obscure or pretentious. Audiences were similarly divided, with some appreciating its artistic merit and others finding it difficult to connect with.

What Reviewers Say

  • Visually breathtaking and deeply personal, offering a rich tapestry of cinematic artistry.

  • A sprawling, surreal, and often challenging exploration of identity and legacy.

  • While ambitious, the film's length and esoteric nature may alienate some viewers.

Google audience: Google users generally found the film to be visually impressive and thought-provoking, appreciating its unique artistic approach. However, a significant portion of viewers found the narrative meandering and the film's symbolism overly obscure, leading to a polarized reception.

Awards & Accolades

Nominated for Best Cinematography at the 95th Academy Awards. Also received nominations for Golden Globe Awards and Critics' Choice Movie Awards.

Fun Fact

The film's title, "Bardo, False Chronicle of a Handful of Truths," refers to the Tibetan concept of the bardo, a transitional state between death and rebirth, reflecting the protagonist's existential crisis.

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