Review of Birth

Birth (2004)
8/10
Unnerving and unsettling, sadly forgotten.
30 September 2023
Grieving widow Anna struggles to live with the death of her husband Sean, on the eve of her wedding engagement to her new man Joseph, a young boy named Sean, claims to be her dead husband.

I had all but forgotten this film, it made an impact on me when I first saw it, and earthing it twenty years onz it's still shocking, surprising and entertaining.

Definitely an overlooked gem, it's a zany and bizarre plot, but it works. If you're able to put yourself in Anna's shoes, you'll be able to fully immerse in the plot, can you imagine someone coming up to you and eating that, knowing what he did, talk about unsettling.

I have always admire Nicole Kidman for one very specific reason, the fact that throughout her career she's always been prepared to do roles like this, and star in films that were somewhat off the beaten track, I'm sure in 2004 she'd have been able to name her role, she'd have been a big coup.

It works because of a young Cameron Bright, who loads Sean with sincerity, he's quite brilliant.

The big talking point, the bath scene, one of those moments where you'll say to yourself..... they'd never get away with that now, and I'm sure they wouldn't, I suppose they go to far, but film making has always been about pushing the boundaries.

I've never been sure about the biggest mystery of this film, Sean's identity, or why on Earth Anna would even consider spending an hour, let alone a lifetime with Joseph, what a narcissist.

Sadly this film is overlooked.

8/10.
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