A great deal of pre-release controversy courted Jonathan Glazer's second feature film (after the superb Sexy Beast) with many critics focusing their attention on one specific scene in the film. The scene in question sees Nicole Kidman sharing a bath with a young 10 year old boy (Cameron Bright) who she believes may well be the reincarntion of her long deceased husband. A shame then, as the film itself turned out to be an intelligent, thought-provoking piece that was fantastically well directed by Grazer and featured a superb performance by Nicole Kidman (a performance that added further proof to the fact that Kidman is one of the most talented actresses working in Holltwood today) At times very reminiscent of the films of Kubrick, especially in the wonderfully evocative opening snow-covered scene, 'Birth' is a film that suprised me in it's poignancy and emotion. As young Sean, Cameron Bright puts in an assured, mature performance of considerable power. No small feat when he's… more »

A great deal of pre-release controversy courted Jonathan Glazer's second feature film (after the superb Sexy Beast) with many critics focusing their attention on one specific scene in the film. The scene in question sees Nicole Kidman sharing a bath with a young 10 year old boy (Cameron Bright) who she believes may well be the reincarntion of her long deceased husband. A shame then, as the film itself turned out to be an intelligent, thought-provoking piece that was fantastically well directed by Grazer and featured a superb performance by Nicole Kidman (a performance that added further proof to the fact that Kidman is one of the most talented actresses working in Holltwood today) At times very reminiscent of the films of Kubrick, especially in the wonderfully evocative opening snow-covered scene, 'Birth' is a film that suprised me in it's poignancy and emotion. As young Sean, Cameron Bright puts in an assured, mature performance of considerable power. No small feat when he's surrounded by such respected names as Kidman, Danny Huston and Lauren Bacall. Sadly the disc itself is a letdown lacking the substance, and indeed the extras, that a film like this deserved. And with it's lukewarm reception it's unlikely a re-release is on the cards. But at such a low price the film deserves to be watched - a thought-provoking, skewed, fairytale like romance from a talented director...