TV Show spotlight
Babylon
Zen Seizaki is a prosecutor with the Tokyo District Public Prosecutors' Office. While investigating illegal acts by a certain pharmaceutical company, Seizaki stumbles upon a page stained with a mixture of blood, hair and skin, along with the letter "F" scribbled all across the sheet. As he investigates further, the case goes beyond Zen's imagination and becomes vastly complex, challenging his sense of justice and his knowledge of the truth. Digging deeper into the investigation, Zen begins to uncover a concealed plot behind the ongoing mayoral election and ties to many people of interest involved in the election and those closer than he thinks. The case grows more severe and propels Zen into an unforeseen hurricane of corruption and deceit behind the election, the establishment of the Shiniki district, and the mysterious woman associated with it all.
Insights
Plot Summary
In 1920s Los Angeles, a sprawling ensemble of characters, from an ambitious young woman to a rising movie star and a manipulative studio executive, navigate the transition from silent films to "talkies." Their lives intertwine amidst the wild excesses, rampant debauchery, and brutal ambition of early Hollywood. The film chronicles their triumphs and downfalls as the industry undergoes a seismic shift, leaving many behind in its wake.
Critical Reception
Babylon received mixed to positive reviews from critics, with many praising its ambitious scope, visual spectacle, and energetic performances, particularly from Margot Robbie and Brad Pitt. However, some critics found its excessive runtime and chaotic narrative overwhelming and divisive. Audiences were similarly split, with some appreciating its bold vision and others put off by its explicit content and lengthy duration.
What Reviewers Say
Visually stunning and audaciously ambitious, capturing the frenetic energy of early Hollywood.
Performances, especially from Robbie and Pitt, are electrifying and memorable.
The film's excessive length and chaotic narrative may prove divisive for some viewers.
Google audience: Google users largely praised Babylon for its spectacle, originality, and energetic performances, with many finding it an entertaining and immersive experience. Some users found the film to be too long and its content overwhelming, but the majority expressed appreciation for its unique take on Hollywood's early days.
Awards & Accolades
Nominated for 3 Academy Awards (Best Original Score, Best Production Design, Best Costume Design), 5 Golden Globe Awards (including Best Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy), and 1 Critics' Choice Movie Award (Best Comedy/Musical).
Fun Fact
Director Damien Chazelle was reportedly inspired to make "Babylon" after seeing a silent film that had been recently discovered and restored, prompting him to explore the era's rapid technological and cultural changes.
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