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Babylon, directed by Damien Chazelle and released on December 23, 2022, is a sprawling epic about the rise and fall of Hollywood during the chaotic transition from silent films to talkies in the 1920s.
The film stars Brad Pitt, Margot Robbie, and Diego Calva, with a supporting cast that includes Jean Smart, Olivia Hamilton, and others. Set against the backdrop of extravagant Hollywood parties and the industry’s early struggles, Babylon offers a raw, unfiltered look at fame, ambition, and the price of stardom.
In the end, Manny smiles amidst the chaos of Hollywood because, despite the overwhelming challenges, he remains captivated by the allure of fame and success. His smile symbolizes his deep, almost naïve passion for the dream of Hollywood, even as he witnesses its destructive side.
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Babylon reveals the destinies of its characters—Jack Conrad's sad death, Nellie LaRoy's death, and Manny's mixed path toward self-realization as the movie closes.
In the last minutes, Manny is remembering his past and realizing that the dream he was after was transient and destructive. The movie captures the never-ending cycle of dreams, celebrity, and unavoidable collapse by means of a moving montage of Hollywood history.
Disclaimer: This article contains major spoilers from Babylon. Reader discretion is advised.
The tragic fate of Jack Conrad in Babylon
Jack Conrad, portrayed by Brad Pitt, is a pivotal character in the movie, representing the silent film era's fading star. Conrad’s career begins to spiral as the advent of the talkies takes hold.
At first, he's adored by audiences and seen as the epitome of Hollywood glamor. However, as the industry shifts, Conrad finds himself unable to adapt to the demands of sound in film, marking the beginning of his downfall.
In a particularly heart-wrenching moment, Conrad, unable to cope with his loss of relevance in Hollywood, takes his own life. This tragic event underscores the movie's theme of the fleeting nature of fame.
Conrad’s death by suicide is a powerful commentary on the destructive forces within the industry that prey on individuals when their careers falter.
His struggle serves as a reflection of the harsh realities of Hollywood, where even the brightest stars are cast aside when they no longer fit the mold.
The movie presents a negative picture of the effects the business takes on people. Jack Conrad's death marks not only a personal loss but also a symbol of the industry's neglect of its stars once their commercial viability has been exceeded.
Nellie LaRoy's descent into despair
Nellie LaRoy, played by Margot Robbie, starts as a young, ambitious woman eager to carve her name in Hollywood. Her journey mirrors the allure and peril of stardom.
Initially, she is caught in the glamor of the industry, rising to fame as a silent film star. However, as the film industry shifts with the rise of talkies, LaRoy finds herself struggling to keep up, much like her colleague Jack Conrad.
As the pressures mount, Nellie spirals into self-destructive behaviors. Her addiction to drugs, compounded by a massive gambling debt, becomes too much for her to handle.
In a tragic sequence, she runs away from Manny, the man who loved her, in an attempt to escape both the consequences of her actions and the industry that once adored her.
Babylon hints at Nellie’s tragic end through a brief newspaper headline, which reports that she died at 34 from an accidental overdose in 1938, just a few years after leaving Hollywood.
Her death represents the tragic side of the Hollywood dream. Nellie, despite her raw talent and overwhelming ambition, is consumed by the very industry she sought to conquer.
Babylon paints her as a victim of Hollywood’s relentless pace, where success is fleeting and the consequences of failure are often fatal.
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Manny Torres: The rise and fall
Diego Calva's character Manny Torres is the one whose trip most aptly reflects the duality of Hollywood's appeal and its dangers. Beginning as Jack Conrad's assistant, Manny first dreams of being a director.
He moves from an assistant to a strong studio executive as he rises through Hollywood over time. Manny's ascent reflects the dream of joining something greater, of succeeding in the very field that has consumed and spirit of so many others.
Nevertheless, Manny's original ideals begin to fade as he becomes more deeply ingrained in Hollywood. He makes morally questionable decisions, such as attempting to control the lives of the stars he once admired and pressuring Sidney Palmer to perform in blackface.
Ultimately, his moral decline is a reflection of the industry's own corruptive power, as a result of his role as a studio executive.
Manny's life takes a dark turn when he attempts to assist Nellie in payoffing her debt, despite his success, only to discover that the money used is fraudulent.
Manny and Nellie flee as a result of this discovery; however, he is ultimately compelled to abandon her when debt collectors pursue him.
His return to Los Angeles in the final scenes provides a sense of closure, but also sadness, as Babylon leaves his fate ambiguous. Manny is compelled to acknowledge the influence of Hollywood on him and the agony of losing everything he once aspired to.
The final montage: Hollywood's legacy
The film abruptly transitions from its tragic narrative to a montage of Hollywood's development in the final moments of the movie.
This sequence, which encompasses iconic moments from cinematic history, including Singin' in the Rain and The Arrival of a Train, functions as a poignant reminder of Hollywood's relentless nature and a tribute to its legacy.
Manny realizes the eternal cycle of fame, success, and inevitable decline while watching Singin' in the Rain in a theater.
Although controversial, the montage underscores the progression of cinema, from the earliest days of filmmaking to the revolutionary works that shaped generations.
Babylon implies that the film industry has had an enduring influence on society and culture, despite the personal tragedies of its characters.
Manny's smile as he observes the montage is a reflection of his bittersweet recognition that his own role in Hollywood, despite its transience, was a component of a much grander legacy—a cinematic legacy that will endure for generations.
The movie is now available to stream on different OTT platforms like Netflix, Prime Video and Apple TV+. Stay tuned for more news and updates as 2024 progresses.
