Babel: Sharp and Natural

Rodrigo Prieto has been mastering an important look in cinematography over the past several years. Ever since Amores Perros, which he photographed for Alejandro González Iñárritu, in 2000, we've seen a sincere, dispassionate, and modernized version of the Italian Neorealist look.

This was the same approach evident in 8 Mile, although Prieto changed it up for Julie Taymor (Frida), Oliver Stone (Alexander), and Ang Lee (Brokeback Mountain).

And now, after 21 Grams (which has similar edginess, but a more stylized look), the same pair of Mexicans brings Babel. To me, the story is forgettable, but the photography is quite remarkable for it's natural and sharp-edged qualities.

Most memorable was the scene in the Japanese disco. A vulnerable and disturbed girl came of age while the hair on the back of my neck stood up.

These are some consecutive frames from a quicktime of the trailer.