MESSAGE IN THE MOVIES

Babies Rated PG

Directed by Thomas Balmés.  Documentary

Photo © Focus Features
Movie Review by Rev. Bruce Batchelor Glader

It has been a long time – over 20 years – since I was a first-time dad, but I will never forget the daily surprises, delights and challenges of watching a baby grow up. 

Every week you had a different child and every two months you swapped out the baby clothes.  A baby is a tiny bundle of discovery and curiosity and, if you can take the time to appreciate a little child, you may grow in your appreciation of the miracle of human life. 

Babies introduces us to four children:  Ponijao (Namibia), Bayarjargal (Mongolia), Mari (Japan), and Hattie (California).  The film simply observes these babies during their first year of life, being cared for their parents (mostly their mothers), getting along with older siblings, and exploring their world. 

There is no narration; the film lets us spend time with these children and their families, accompanied by a nice musical score by Bruno Coulais (who also did the music for Oceans). 

As four cultures are contrasted and compared, it becomes obvious that a baby is a baby and that all four children are loved in their own way. 

Director Balmés has called this film a comedy, and it certainly is filled with plenty of memorable moments and lots of laughs. 

Babies reminds us that if we take the time to look for joy and light in our daily lives, we will find it.  There are plenty of grownups who seem to forget that life is a gift from God and each day is filled with new possibilities.  Babies don’t have to be told about these things; they have their whole life ahead of them. 

This is great family viewing, but some parents may be put off by the many scenes featuring women breastfeeding.  Personally, I would recommend that young boys see this film before they reach puberty so that they learn what breasts are really for. 

Babies is short (only 78 minutes long), sweet, funny and wise.  You can understand why God loves us so much; we start out so darn cute. 


Pitchfork/Halo Ratings:

Five halos. A celebration of the first year of human life that isn’t afraid to invoke a sense of wonder.

One picthfork. Babies doing what comes naturally, both number one and number two; scenes of breastfeeding and cultural and maternal nudity.

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