Bardo may be the most Iñárritu of all Iñárritu movies. Fluid and non-sequitur, Bardo follows a reporter through his surreal day dreams and his self-doubt, his ruminations on personal identity and national identity as a man, a father, and as a Mexican from a very personal perspective that may not speak very much to those whose identities are not those things. It is stunning to watch but also meandering and sometimes draggy. 2022 was a year when established directors (mostly male) chose to make deeply personal films reflecting on who they are and this feels like a part of that movement.
What worked for me with this film is how he has his characters say the quiet parts out loud, even if the film implies it is only in his head. It is often quite funny but always with an ironic hint of melancholy. And Bardo is visually beautiful, fluid in its camera work and narrative structure, colourful yet contrasted with an intense use of shadow.
But Bardo is often opaque and inaccessible. It throws ideas at us, some of which hit and others that do not. It also doesn't really hold up for its run time. I do think for someone closer to the identities being explored/indulged here, the film might be more compelling. Still, even when I wasn't enjoying the film, it was fascinating to watch. Perhaps it isn't for a casual viewer but could mostly be appreciated by those curious about its subject or just film nerds who enjoy when a director plays with form in this fashion. Bardo is a lot of playing with ideas and that in itself is worth a watch for those who are interested in exploring these things.
Bardo, False Chronicle of a Handful of Truths
Starring: Daniel Giménez Cacho
Director: Alejandro G. Iñárritu
Writers: Nicolás Giacobone, Alejandro G. Iñárritu
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