The scenes in 21 Grams play out in a nearly random order. It’s almost as if the filmmaker’s put all of the scenes in a bag and put in each scene in the order they came out. Well, OK, it’s not that bad. The greater part of the film is linear with massive amounts of flashbacks and flash forwards. And the scenes aren’t totally random, they’re craftily sequenced in such a way that always keeps us guessing when we think we’ve got it all figured out.

For the life of me, however, I cannot figure out what the purpose of putting the scenes in such an order. Other non-linear classics such as Memento and Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind at least have arguments on behalf of their behavior. The out of place scenes in 21 Grams seem to have no purpose beyond the fun of it. But even if that’s the only purpose, it’s worth it, cause it’s a heck a good time.

21 Grams’ story is so engaging in itself, however, it may not have even needed to mix things up to keep it interesting. Paul Rivers (Sean Penn) is dying of a heart condition, but gets a transplant when a healthy man is suddenly hit by a car driven by a born again ex-con, Jack Jordan (Benicio Del Toro). After receiving the new heart, Rivers tracks down Cristina (Naomi Watts), the wife of the victim, to thank her. The two then pursue the life of Jack Jordan in revenge for his failure to stop to help the people he hit.

There’s an interesting religious slant whose purpose is difficult to pinpoint. Jack Jordan has become a deeply religious man though he’s still far from being a good man. He seems to know the Bible well, but doesn’t live it. It’s not so much blatant hypocrisy as it is a simple failure at introspection – I don’t think he fully realizes that he isn’t the type of person he tries to tell others to be. Not only is Jack religious, but he also believes heavily in religious superstition. Everything good that happens to him he gives credit to Jesus for, and everything bad that happens he likewise blames on God.

It’s hard to say what it all leads to. It’s not very clear. But I like what is there. Jack eventually tries to confess to a murder he didn’t commit and seems to want to make penance for what he has done. Though Jack’s a villain of sorts, he’s also the noblest character on the screen.

Where 21 Grams does have something to say, it’s pretty simple. This is another one of those films with a Carpe Diem type message told with characters who destroy their lives and then tells us not to be like them. Each of these characters fail to live in some way. Cristina fails to keep going after the death of her husband, Paul Rivers fails to stay with his wife after he has regained life, and Jack fails to be a good husband and father to his family.

As much as I dislike the way the final punch was delivered, I found striking even still. I left 21 Grams haunted for some time. They say you lose 21 grams when you die, how much is gained?

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