BIUTIFUL — CANNES 2010

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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 an idiotic 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.