Biutiful

Javier Bardem once again proves his dexterity at creating complex flawed characters that are obsessively watchable. Co-writer/director Alejandro Gonzáles Iñárritu casts a narrative net so wide that it overreaches. The film would be inaccessible were it not for Bardem's thoughtful portrayal of a man on the verge of death. Bardem's character is Uxbal, a Barcelona scammer responsible for securing work for illegal immigrants when he isn't looking in on his bipolar ex-wife Marambra (Maricel Alvarez). She's busy carrying on an affair with Uxbal's brother. Uxbal lives as a single father raising his two young children. He has an unusual gift. He can communicate with the dead. Informed of terminal prostate cancer Uxbal needs to secure a guardian for his kids. "Biutiful" (the title is a misspelling of "beautiful") is an intriguing character study unable to support its theme of supernatural influence. Had Iñárritu and his co-writers stuck to a more Cassavetes-inspired dramatic approach they might have arrived at a clearer picture. Here's one bitter dramatic pill that's barely worth the effort of sitting through.

Rated R. 147 mins. (B-) (Three Stars - out of five/no halves)