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      Biutiful

      R Released Jan 28, 2011 2 hr. 27 min. Drama Romance List
      66% 155 Reviews Tomatometer 75% 10,000+ Ratings Audience Score Uxbal (Javier Bardem), a career criminal, plies his trade in Barcelona's underground sweatshops and back alleys. Unlike his associates, he has some respect for the poor workers under his thumb and is a devoted father. Told that he is ill and has just a few months to live, Uxbal tries to get his affairs in order before the spirits, with whom he communes, come to claim him. Read More Read Less Watch on Fandango at Home Premiered Jun 28 Buy Now

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      Biutiful

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      Critics Consensus

      Javier Bardem's searing performance helps to elevate Biutiful, as does Alejandro González Iñárritu's craftsmanship, but the film often lapses into contrivance and grimness.

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      Audience Reviews

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      Scott W This is a beautiful piece of filmmaking. Bardem controls every scene like a master craftsman. The story is stark and depressing. An experience of being emersed in the gritty harsh lives of people who are not white Americans. Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 07/27/23 Full Review emily b Dark, beautiful. I guess people couldn't grasp the critique of capitalism in 2012 before Parasite and Uncut Gems Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 05/17/23 Full Review Synaptic Memory S I'd heard about Rotten Tomotoes reviews and had to see for myself, and make a favorable review where it seemed duly justified. "Biutiful" is among the greatest tragic films I've ever seen. I do not understand what is not to adore about this gritty and devastating story that nevertheless contains incredible hope. Also, in terms of narrative flow, I found "Biutiful" much easier to watch and maintain interest in than any of the films in Iñárritu's prior trilogy (those were interesting dramas, but their fragmented structure put me off). "Biutiful" has beautiful spiritual/horror elements akin in some sense to Aronofsky, but I find Iñárritu's world, plot, and characters - and even the magical realism - in "Biutiful" more relatable. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 12/23/22 Full Review Audience Member Biutiful is complex and gritty. Bardem is a hard criminal, a protective father and terminally ill with prostate cancer. His manic ex-wife and grimy business partners all prove to be obstacles to him finding a place of safety for his kids once he passes. The final moments are heart wrechingly good. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 01/12/23 Full Review isla s I thought this film would be nice for a special day/ocassion - I had a feeling it would appeal to me quite a lot. Its certainly very grim and I suppose that was to be expected but if anything it was even more sort of despairing and bleak than I'd expected - its less philosophical (about death) and more an almost character based diary (although the precise days aren't specified to the viewer but otherwise the analogy works) of the sad circumstances he's faced with and has to adapt to, with mistakes unfolding along the way. It covers themes including illness, forgiveness and exploitation. It has to be said that Javier Bardem does give an outstanding performance as the main character, Uxbal. His stoicism and determinism is certainly respectable. I should perhaps also point out that this film does include some quite shaky/jerky camerawork, which may frustrate some people - I think its to give it that sort of regular, street shot, urban feel to it - its not at all a big glitzy Hollywood film, of course. There is a poignancy to it, even though it is really quite subtle I suppose. I would recommend this film, as long as you know its quite a bleak watch. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 03/31/23 Full Review Johann D. M 🇲🇽🇪🇸 Dirigida y producida por Alejandro González Iñárritu, este drama psicológico nominado a mejor película extranjera en el 2011 en la que Uxbal, un padre soltero, descubre que padece cáncer y mientras lucha por asegurar el futuro de sus hijos en Barcelona, también debe asumir la culpa de su ocupación como médium de los espíritus de los recientemente fallecidos. Es una película desgarradora y brutal que describe lo cruel que puede ser la vida para los inmigrantes, los pobres y los desdichados. La actuación de Javier Bardem es muy especial y su nominación al Óscar fue muy merecida, la manera como da vida a su personaje que sufre tragedias casi a diario es demasiado agobiante y melancólica. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 01/15/24 Full Review Read all reviews Post a rating

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      Critics Reviews

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      Shubhra Gupta The Indian Express What kept me glued was the leading man whose increasingly ravaged eyes reflect a thousand tragedies with such ease: [Javier] Bardem is truly 'biutiful'. Rated: 2.5/5 Apr 3, 2019 Full Review Caryn James Newsday Irritu's trademark interwoven plots have one thread too many here, but this shattering experience-earthbound and fraught with the afterlife-is worth every undying minute. Feb 7, 2018 Full Review Candice Frederick Reel Talk Online Do yourself a favor and treat yourself to Biutiful. Rated: A+ Sep 8, 2017 Full Review Jordan Brooks Vague Visages While Iñárritu’s tactics can become tiresome over multiple views, he is perhaps one of the greatest, single-experience filmmakers working today. Aug 1, 2023 Full Review Richard Propes TheIndependentCritic.com It is a heartfelt, beautifully constructed, heartbreaking and, at times, difficult to watch downer. Rated: 3.5/4.0 Sep 3, 2020 Full Review Felicia Feaster Charleston City Paper Biutiful is a vision of a society that has broken down into layers of corruption, whose murk and misery can recall future-shock yarns like Blade Runner. Jan 21, 2020 Full Review Read all reviews

      Movie Info

      Synopsis Uxbal (Javier Bardem), a career criminal, plies his trade in Barcelona's underground sweatshops and back alleys. Unlike his associates, he has some respect for the poor workers under his thumb and is a devoted father. Told that he is ill and has just a few months to live, Uxbal tries to get his affairs in order before the spirits, with whom he communes, come to claim him.
      Director
      Alejandro González Iñárritu
      Screenwriter
      Alejandro González Iñárritu, Armando Bo, Nicolás Giacobone
      Distributor
      Roadside Attractions
      Production Co
      Menage Atroz, Ikiru Films, Mod Producciones
      Rating
      R (Drug Use|Disturbing Images|Language|Nudity|Some Sexual Content)
      Genre
      Drama, Romance
      Original Language
      Spanish
      Release Date (Theaters)
      Jan 28, 2011, Limited
      Release Date (Streaming)
      May 31, 2012
      Box Office (Gross USA)
      $5.1M
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