The films “Babel” and “Crash” wove situations and people together in complex quilts. “Sliding Doors” made you ponder the life choices you’d made and sparked what ifs. “360” covers similar ground. The connections between characters unfold slowly throughout as if controlled by a dimmer switch and every central character is faced with difficult choices and questions of fate.
“360” is full of clichés yet still engaging. Brazilian director Fernando Meirelles takes you through Vienna, Paris, London and America. Scenes in airports and on planes give a mood-setting backdrop for the lonely and haunted characters. The screenplay was written by Peter Morgan, which is a tad surprising given that his other works like “Frost/Nixon” and “The Queen” were far more original.
Video: ‘360’ official trailer
The audience gets very few of the resolutions they’re hoping for. Tip: plan an upbeat activity after the film. “360” is sad, sad, sad. That’s not to say it isn’t worth seeing, though. It is.
Harsh realities of life, pain, societal issues, heartbreak, money, forks in the road—no, it doesn’t cover new ground but the acting is excellent. Ben Foster gives a spine-tingly performance as a sexual deviant just released from prison.Anthony Hopkins is, well, he’s Anthony Hopkins. He gives a gut-wrenching performance as a wounded man full of regrets. One who is tormented by fears about what happened to his missing daughter.
Rachel Weisz and Jude Law vividly portray a hollow marriage. You can hear the emptiness in every exchange. Then Law gets himself tangled up in a world of trouble and Weisz is creepily indulging in an ongoing sexual affair.
Many more intriguing vignettes unfold—some tender, some frightening.
The London Film Festival nominated “360” as Best Film.
Rated R for sexuality, nudity and language. 115 minutes. Opens in New York City on April 3, 2012.
Review written for Examiner.com