Watch Trailer:
“Babylon” is a 2022 American epic historical black comedy-drama film written and directed by Damien Chazelle. The film features an ensemble cast including Brad Pitt, Margot Robbie, Diego Calva, Jean Smart, Jovan Adepo, and Li Jun Li. Set in 1920s Los Angeles, “Babylon” chronicles the rise and fall of multiple characters during Hollywood’s transition from silent to sound films, an era marked by unbridled decadence and depravity.
Plot Summary:
In 1926 Bel Air, Mexican immigrant Manuel “Manny” Torres (Diego Calva) dreams of being part of something bigger in the burgeoning film industry. At a lavish, hedonistic party thrown by studio executive Don Wallach, Manny meets Nellie LaRoy (Margot Robbie), a brash and ambitious actress from New Jersey who declares herself a star. Their lives become intertwined with Jack Conrad (Brad Pitt), a benevolent yet troubled film star navigating the industry’s shift from silent films to talkies.
As Hollywood transitions to sound, the characters face challenges adapting to the new era. Nellie’s career skyrockets, but she struggles with the pressures of fame and personal demons, including addiction and a tumultuous relationship with her father. Manny rises through the studio system, becoming a studio executive, but is forced to reconcile his creative ideals with Hollywood’s commercial demands. Jack, facing obsolescence, grapples with his declining career and personal life.
The film culminates in a series of tragic events: Jack, unable to adapt to the changing industry, takes his own life; Nellie, unable to overcome her vices, is found dead in a hotel room; and Manny, fleeing from dangerous associations, leaves Hollywood behind. Years later, Manny returns to Los Angeles and watches “Singin’ in the Rain,” a film that nostalgically portrays the era he once lived through. Overwhelmed by memories and emotions, he realizes that despite the industry’s flaws and the personal costs endured, he contributed to a legacy that continues to inspire and entertain future generations.
Cast and Crew:
- Director and Writer: Damien Chazelle
- Cast:
- Brad Pitt as Jack Conrad
- Margot Robbie as Nellie LaRoy
- Diego Calva as Manuel “Manny” Torres
- Jean Smart as Elinor St. John
- Jovan Adepo as Sidney Palmer
- Li Jun Li as Lady Fay Zhu
Budget and Production:
“Babylon” had a production budget estimated between $78–80 million. Filming took place in Los Angeles from July to October 2021.
Release Date:
The film premiered at the Samuel Goldwyn Theater in Los Angeles on November 14, 2022, and was released in the United States on December 23, 2022.
Reception:
“Babylon” received a polarized response from critics and was a box-office bomb, grossing $63 million against a production budget of $78–80 million and losing Paramount $87 million. Despite this, it received five nominations at the 80th Golden Globe Awards (including Best Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy, winning Best Original Score), three nominations at the 76th British Academy Film Awards (winning Best Production Design), and three nominations at the 95th Academy Awards.
Trailer Breakdown:
The official trailer for “Babylon” showcases the film’s depiction of 1920s Hollywood, highlighting the opulence and excess of the era. It introduces the main characters—Jack Conrad, Nellie LaRoy, and Manny Torres—and hints at their intertwining destinies amid the industry’s seismic shift from silent films to talkies. The trailer emphasizes the film’s grand set pieces, period-accurate costumes, and a vibrant jazz-infused score by Justin Hurwitz, capturing the chaotic energy and ambition that defined early Hollywood.
Conclusion:
“Babylon” serves as both a tribute to and a critique of early Hollywood, highlighting the relentless pursuit of fame and the often devastating personal sacrifices made in the name of art. Through its ensemble cast and Chazelle’s direction, the film paints a vivid picture of an era of unbridled decadence and depravity, offering a reflection on the cost of ambition and the fleeting nature of success in the film industry.
