Bardo, False Chronicle of a Handful of Truths

Netflix | Release Date: November 4, 2022

6.9	USER SCORE Generally favorable reviews based on 34 Ratings

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Brent_MarchantNov 12, 2022

What happens between lives? That’s hard to say. In fact, those who go through the experience may not even realize that they’re going through it when they do. They just might feel out of sorts or, more precisely, out of touch with the realityWhat happens between lives? That’s hard to say. In fact, those who go through the experience may not even realize that they’re going through it when they do. They just might feel out of sorts or, more precisely, out of touch with the reality they’ve come to know so well. However, they could begin to realize and understand what’s unfolding when they start assessing aspects of themselves to which they may not have previously given much consideration. Suddenly bells begin to go off when they introspectively examine matters like personal integrity; relationships with family, friends, colleagues and significant others; regrets and accomplishments; fulfilling one’s potential; and what one might have done differently. If that sounds like the prototypical life review that so many spiritual schools of thought talk about, you could actually be on to something. But will you appreciate the insights that come from it? That’s what an aging, respected Mexican journalist/documentary filmmaker experiences in this latest offering from writer-director Alejandro G. Iñárritu. Drawing upon themes discussed in some of his earlier works, such as “Biutiful” (2010) and “Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance)” (2014), the auteur takes things a step further in this outing, employing his signature flamboyant (some would say self-indulgent) style of filming and storytelling, though this time he places it on steroids. But what more fitting tactic could there be for a narrative set in the bardo, the world between worlds where, according to some Buddhist circles, we undergo the very process described here, only with abilities and perception skills far more advanced than what we make use of on the physical plane. It’s a place/state of mind where individuals like the protagonist can allow their imaginations to run wild in the process of conducting the aforementioned analysis. The result is an eye-opening experience for the film’s principal, not to mention viewers. One gets the sense that there’s a lot of the director in his central character, too, which is why the material presented here often feels intensely personal. That’s also probably what accounts somewhat for the picture’s length, coming in at a runtime of 2:39:00, somewhat protracted for a story of this nature. That’s especially true for much of the first hour, which could have been cut significantly without losing much (had the director done so, this probably would have received a higher rating). But, once this release finds its stride, it truly takes off as a great piece of cinema – one that’s inventive, gorgeous to look at and well-acted and has something to say to boot. What more could a movie lover ask for? Iñárritu really is in his element here, at least for much of the final 90+ minutes, and that’s more than good enough for me. Even though this offering probably won’t appeal to everyone, I’d certainly love to see moviegoers give this one a fair shot. It deserves it – and so do you.… Expand

3 of 3 users found this helpful30

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GerryBlueDec 21, 2022

This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Bardo in Tibetan Buddhism, is a state of existence between death and rebirth, varying in length according to a person's conduct in life and manner of, or age at, death. One could clearly interpret this middle state as what Gonzalez feels after many years living in Hollywood. He's neither American, nor Mexican anymore. He's in the limbo of countries, his memories playing tricks on him.

And that's what he reflects in his character of Silverio (not by chance referred to as 'El Prieto' (the dark one), when Iñarritu himself was well known in Mexico as El Negro, from his early radio days in the 80's.

Iñarritu, embodied in Silverio, reflects on the journey of a lifetime, from the get go you know this might be one of those films where everything might be dream, or is it?

Trapped in a state between life and dead (wonder what that might be in the real world, a coma, maybe?) the lead character relives (remembers) a distorted life.

This distortion is evident throughout the film by the ever-present distorted cinematography, looks like a lot of the movie was shot with a fish-eye or similar lens. Most of the camera angles are tilted up, a very unusual angle.

Is all that happens in the movie true, or just the recollections of a dying man? Bardo excels at cinematographic language, symbolism and interpretation, but...

Where this movie fails is in the plot. Mexican filmmakers do very well in the US but when they come back they suffer from the Mexican cinema trope. Simplistic stories, one dimensional characters, flat acting, recurring themes (migrants, missing persons, bad government, violence, etc.) If you are making a dream-like movie, why not keep it in that realm.

Somebody here said that this is the movie of the year, sorry but no,
if you like this genre, "Everything Everywhere all at Once" is the much better surrealistic film.

I think that if Iñarritu had made this movie in the US, or had distanced himself form the cliché topics of Mexican Movies a much better piece of art would've been created.

Cinematography wise, this is indeed auteur filmmaking at its best. Impeccable photography, set and art design, symbolic and deep, but with a weak story.… Expand

2 of 2 users found this helpful20

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AX10Dec 27, 2022

Brilliant scenes, powerful images and a script that exposes the ego, fear and the constant contradiction of hitting and failing in the same thought. It is shameful that critics accuse the exhibition of philosophical reasoning as pretentiousBrilliant scenes, powerful images and a script that exposes the ego, fear and the constant contradiction of hitting and failing in the same thought. It is shameful that critics accuse the exhibition of philosophical reasoning as pretentious and applaud films that, with the excuse of entertaining, only numb reasoning.… Expand

2 of 2 users found this helpful20

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LuissDt2Nov 4, 2022

long? Sure, but Pretentious? We are talking about Iñárritu, obviously it will be, and precisely that makes Bardo False Chronicle of a Handful of Truths shine, being such a visually dazzling experience for its editing, cinematography andlong? Sure, but Pretentious? We are talking about Iñárritu, obviously it will be, and precisely that makes Bardo False Chronicle of a Handful of Truths shine, being such a visually dazzling experience for its editing, cinematography and production design but at the same time shining in the script, the direction of Iñárritu and the excellent performance of Cacho… Expand

2 of 2 users found this helpful20

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nullsleepDec 29, 2022

Bardo is an essay of the Mexican identity, and it delivers beautifully and accurate and, honestly, in a very entertaining way. Wonderfully done, masterfully crafted, with some poignant facts here and there. Highly recommended. The only reasonBardo is an essay of the Mexican identity, and it delivers beautifully and accurate and, honestly, in a very entertaining way. Wonderfully done, masterfully crafted, with some poignant facts here and there. Highly recommended. The only reason critics hate this movie is because they don’t have the right context of Mexican culture and how it is represented in the movie, probably because most critics are not Mexicans. I strongly feel that if Iñarritu was from the US, and he talked about Trump and Fox News instead of Mexican Government and Televisa, they would praise him as the best film director and would instantly nominate him to best picture, screenplay, etc. etc.… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

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Mrcorleone0567Nov 14, 2022

An All time Masterpiece, that will stay in my mind until the day i die, sutch and amazing experience that everyone who loves cinema should live, Bardo is not a film is an estate of mind, and a beautiful experience.

3 of 4 users found this helpful31

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katezoeJan 8, 2023

Cinematic. Historical. Philosophical. A directors Felliniesque vision of his life! All seen within the context of US and Mexico fraught relationship. Why a 9 instead of 10....at times some of the scenes needed editing and the film suffers byCinematic. Historical. Philosophical. A directors Felliniesque vision of his life! All seen within the context of US and Mexico fraught relationship. Why a 9 instead of 10....at times some of the scenes needed editing and the film suffers by being to long.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

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alejandro970Jan 13, 2023

This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. El regreso de Alejandro G. Iñárritu a la silla de director, narrando la bizarra odisea introspectiva de un periodista, es una cadena de simbolismos e imágenes que dejan al espectador promedio preguntándose qué está viendo, por lo menos hasta el último acto. El veredicto de si Bardo es la obra de un genio o un ladrillo pretencioso depende que cada quien. A destacar la fotografía de Darius Khondji (Se7en)… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

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