Biutiful

Mexican director Alejandro González Iñárritu moves into new territory with another dazzling film that is more in tune with his debut "Amores Perros" but with a more linear approach and focusing on one character. The story set in Barcelona about Uxbal, a man down on his luck who's ravaged by personal and professional problems as he tries to keep it together. Uxbal has cancer and two kids to take care of because his unstable ex-wife can't stay away from alcohol and drugs. In order to make a living he bribes the police on behalf of Chinese criminals who traffic illegal immigrants and uses his supernatural gift to communicate with the recently departed on behalf of their families. Javier Bardem delivers his most accomplished and complex performance as Uxbal that's nothing short of brilliant. Iñárritu proves he's a talent to reckon with without Guillermo Arriaga who has written his previous films, the non-linear fate trilogy. Rodrigo Prieto's dazzling cinematography shows a totally different side of Barcelona. YRCinema's coverage of films at the 63rd Festival de Cannes.