22 Comments

I wondered why it was called "Babel", as it didn't appear to have anything to do with the Biblical story of the Tower of Babel. But, reading this, it clicked: it's about people trying to communicate with others when other people don't know what they're saying or doing, and confusion reigns.

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Yeah, I think that's exactly it.

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Sheesh!! What an article! The vanishing...ugh. It's so real it's gross. Felt sick. Thank God she turned up fine!

Babel...not sure if I saw it. Maybe. Might have to watch it now (or again) because I can't quite tell if it was a bad movie or just a sad-bleh movie.

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This story has caused confusion and delay. Well done.

I really love how your personal narrative always fits into the piece of art you're talking about.

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LOL! I see you're familiar with Sir Topham Hatt.

Appreciate the kind comments! :)

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My daughter and I watched it together for years. She wouldn't go anywhere without her stuffed Thomas. Then suddenly it was over. I still call her a bossy boiler now and then. She has no idea where it came from.

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Losing a kid at a fair/amusement park? Nightmare fuel.

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Yep...definitely prefer your ending. Then again, I don't remember much about the film anyway.

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I'm an aunt, so not a mom, but losing a kid anywhere for more than .3 seconds is my definition of hell. I am SO RELIEVED that things worked out okay for your family. That you could seamlessly insert your narrative over Babel says A LOT about our cognitive pathways and meaning making brain machinery. Please go watch some favorite Star Wars and report back to cleanse our collective palettes. :)

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Lol I did need a palate cleanser and ended up watching the first Captain America for something I'm planning. Shhh, tell no one.

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GAHHHHHH!!!! I already can't wait.....shhh! secrety is very safe with me! :)

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The scariest feeling in the world, not knowing where your toddler is. Abject terror.

Wonderful article! Saw Babel a long time ago and I don't so much misremember it as not remember much of it at all. Including the fact that Cate Blanchett is in it. Your not-so-glowing review has had the counterintuitive effect of making me want to see it again.

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😂 I understand that bizarre sort of attraction.

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Never seen Babel but losing a child even for a few minutes is the most terrified I’ve ever been.

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It really is. I can't imagine if we'd actually lost her.

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This also hits too close to home for me. I wish we parents didn't feel so pressured by society to take our toddler aged progenies to theme parks. In the end, absolutely no one has any fun whatsoever!

Also can totally relate to hardly remembering anything about movies except for things that didn't even take place in the movie at all. It's really embarrassing! Except for me, I have been known to introduce a whole new *character* who was never on screen the entire time. Getting old and feeble-minded sucks 😂🧓

P.S. Brad Pitt should not be allowed to make any more movies that start with the letters "Bab"

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LOL great point about Brad!

Misremembering a movie like this was a whole new experience. I think? Darth Vader is Luke's uncle, right? 😉

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Totally! How come everyone says "Luke, I am your Father" all the time, smh

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This is a brilliant piece. And that story about your daughter had my heart racing. Damn.

Babel is an interesting film. I must give it another look.

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Thanks for the inspiration for this one. I wouldn't have even thought about writing this without your prompt. :)

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I’m traumatized by this movie already, just by your description of it

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You're welcome! 🤓

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