‘Babylon’ Showcases the Magic and Tragic of Old Hollywood

There have been several films made that delve into the culture of Hollywood. Sunset Boulevard, Hollywood Shuffle, and The Artist —the most appropriate comparison for this film. Babylon takes place in the early 1920s at the cusp of Hollywood’s transition from silent film to talkies.

Damien Chazelle’s three-hour-long film brings several different perspectives to the times. Manny Torres (Diego Calva) is an immigrant dreamer with his sights on becoming a director. Nellie LaRoy (Margot Robbie) is an aspiring actress ready for her big break. Jack Conrad (Brad Pitt) is a famed silent film star struggling to stay relevant in an evolving industry. We get glimpses of Lady Fay Zhu (Li Jun Li), who appears to represent the hyper-sexualization of Asian women, and Sidney Palmer (Jovan Adepo), a Black musician.

Babylon starts with a vibrant introduction via a chaotic party. Right off the back, Chazelle wants us to know that Hollywood was known for its excess and depraved indulgence. The parties weren’t just to entertain but to show off a lavish lifestyle. Anyone who is anyone would be in attendance, and entry could be your key to your next big break. There are drugs, dancing, and sex.

The release of The Jazz Singer signaled the end of silence and caused studios to scramble to adapt to the time. During this transition, many actors struggled because what made an excellent silent actor didn’t translate to a good talkie actor.

Chazelle is known for showcasing characters who are driven and ambitious. His directing style is immediate, with fast-paced editing, sweeping long takes, and energetic camera movements. That uniform crafts a sense of urgency that pairs with the character’s intense desire and pressure to succeed.

Robbie gives a tour-de-force performance as a star who is too quickly catapulted into fame and begins to spiral out of control. Calva’s journey as Manny goes from the hired help to somewhat of a Hollywood villain as he attempts to rise to the top. Unfortunately, his assimilation isn’t fully explored, which stops his character short of a complete arc. Pitt’s portrayal of Jack will break your heart as you watch him go from the studio’s golden boy to a has-been.

A few moments in the film gave me pause. The first is Manny asking Sidney to apply blackface so he could be the same color as the other Black musicians on set. It bothered me for two reasons. One — that context of blackface seemed historically inaccurate. Two—there isn’t anything else added to Sidney’s story or an introduction to the Black Hollywood landscape at all. This made the need for Sidney’s character, and more importantly, the need to introduce blackface, unnecessary and out of place. Blackface was used extensively in the silent era, so if it was going to be introduced, it deserved a more historically accurate representation and ample room to highlight that Black film history.

Another moment that disrupted the film’s tone was the introduction of Tobey Maguire’s character, James McKay. James was supposed to be some gangster that Robbie’s character, Nellie, owed money. Once Maguire appeared on screen, the film took a nosedive and never fully lifted again. Had those moments been cut, the film would’ve been shorter or made more room to give a more well-rounded view of Hollywood during that time.

One of my favorite moments was a scene shared by Jack and Elinor St. John (Jean Smart). The relationship that Hollywood had with the press in those days was special. They trusted journalists. They sought after them for their perspective and advice. Journalists had the power to sink your project or create a star. Jack comes to Elinor, a washed-up actor searching for advice, and Elinor offers him the truth. It’s sad yet endearing. Elinor knows that Jack’s career is fading, and it’s not news that she wants to deliver to him, but it’s also her responsibility.

While Babylon itself doesn’t necessarily contribute anything new to the conversation regarding Hollywood’s underbelly, it serves as a reminder of the everlasting dark side of the Wild West. Each actor in the film — lead, supporting, background — gave tremendous performances. The third act, unfortunately, soiled what was shaping into a decent film. Still, Babylon is a star-filled, chaotic adventure that you’ll never forget.

Babylon is now playing in theaters.

Rating: 3 out of 5 stars