Grade: C+ | Genre: Drama Summary: Birth relies on implications rather than a spoon fed story line. It's not for everyone and you have to be prepared before sliding in this DVD. If you lost your wife and then one day a bird appeared on your windowsill saying that it was she, would you believe it? That's the question posed by Sean, a happily married man you never meet but is the presence that haunts this inconceivable film. Birth is the unnerving story of Anna (Nicole Kidman), a widow of 10 years who has recently gotten engaged. One night, a mysterious young boy (Cameron Bright) appears and claims to be the reincarnation of Sean, her deceased husband. Initially, the idea is absurd, but somehow 10-year-old Sean is able to disclose details about his relationship with Anna no one else could now. Is this really Sean? Can Anna actually believe his claim?

Birth begins with Sean running through paved trails of a nearby park who suddenly collapses of an unknown condition. Just as his life ends, the film flashes to the birth of a baby boy. Fast forward 10 years and we are at an engagement party where Anna and her husband to be, Joseph (Danny Huston), are toasting the occasion. Joseph deeply cares for Anna and has even accepted and lovingly deals with her still existing feelings for her dead husband. Trips together to Sean's grave sight seem normal for the couple, and the two are destined to build a healthy and lasting relationship with each other.

So who is this 10-year-old Sean? He seems to be just a kid who believes that Anna is his former lover. One night, he sneaks his way into a birthday celebration for Anna's mother (Lauren Bacall), and asks to see Anna. The guests are a bit startled but don't seem too threatened by this little boy. Anna humors Sean and takes him into the kitchen where they can speak privately. After a short exchange, Sean reveals that he is her dead husband. This is quite a revelation that Anna and her family brush off lightly. However, Sean won't go away and begins planting seeds of doubt that begin to weave their way into the conscience of each member of the family.

Birth Starring: Nicole Kidman, Cameron Bright, Danny Huston, Lauren Bacall Director: Jonathan Glazer Check it out You may also like... The Others The Last Supper Ghost

Now, the family is ripped apart and Anna and Joseph's pending marriage is in jeopardy. As uncomfortable to watch as this film is, you have to put yourself in Anna's shoes and ask yourself what you would do in this situation. I wonder if Birth would have been more effective if Sean were a little older to help make the attraction more convincing. Could director Jonathon Glazer be trying to make a point by using a boy so young? Nicole Kidman definitely takes a huge risk with this bold film and you have to respect her courage. Her performance is sincere and powerful and you almost hope that things do work out for Anna.

By the end, you are left with an unsettling feeling and can't come up with words to describe Birth. It's a film that crosses the line and doesn't let you know where it came from or where it's going. Birth relies on implications rather than a spoon fed story line. It's not for everyone and you have to be prepared before sliding in this DVD. This is one of those films that will leave you speechless while forcing you to dig deep and question how far your love for another can take you. I say, if you want to see Nicole Kidman, you should check out The Interpreter instead. Otherwise, proceed with caution.