Review – ‘Bardo, False Chronicle of A Handful of Truths’

Bardo, False Chronicle of a Handful of Truths is the latest film from Mexican auteur director Alejandro Gonzalez-Iñarritu (Amores Perros, 21 Grams, Babel, Birdman, Biutiful, The Revenant). It’s currently in theatres for a limited release before it hits Netflix on December 16. Thankfully, just in time for your Christmas vacation viewing.

Originally, the film was nearly 3 hours long. However, critics saw the long runtime as its weakest point. Therefore, at least half an hour is cut from the final version. This 159-minute cut may have less content but it tells a more cohesive story. Much like 2014‘s Birdman, this is a character study that heavily delves into surrealism. It also once again sees the filmmaker dabble with a dramedy.

There are a lot of social and political allegories within the story that reflect topics such as the history between the United States and Mexico and immigration. Ironically it also focuses on overindulgent artistry. Furthermore, it provides jabs at the media. Bardo, False Chronicle of a Handful of Truths uses its voice to show how divisive and manipulative the media is around the world. It’s clever and intelligent but sometimes becomes too self-indulgent.

At its core, it’s about the filmmaker responding to specific critics in his home country of Mexico. They criticized him for making films that were too Americanized rather than focusing on issues from Mexico. This was something he did with his debut film.

Its overindulgence is where I feel the movie becomes deterred. The runtime still feels too long and losing another 30 minutes may have been beneficial. With that in mind, most viewers may prefer watching it once it releases on Netflix.

Bardo, False Chronicle of a Handful of Truths is a stunning cinematic experience. This comes from its visual direction, cinematography and acting. The choreography and camera movements only serve to add to the bountiful experience. Furthermore, the direction is reminiscent of Michel Gondry and Charlie Kaufman’s aesthetic.

The script is solid and highlights the struggles of an artist going through identity and existential crises. It strikes a balance between humour and its poignant moments. Ultimately, it further proves Alejandro Gonzalez-Iñarritu is one of the best directors currently in the industry.

Bardo, False Chronicle of a Handful of Truths hits Netflix on December 16.