Unusual, compelling drama that almost delivers us to a satisfying finish. A wealthy but emotionally fragile young woman in New York City, still grieving the sudden death of her husband 10 years before, seems ready to try marriage again with a new man until she's approached by a solemn little boy who, in all seriousness, claims to be her deceased spouse. Director and co-writer Jonathan Glazer knows he's treading unusual ground here--and, to his credit, never plays things safe (the word 'reincarnation' is never even uttered). Nicole Kidman is breathtakingly photographed; angular and arched like an elongated pixie, she takes the camera with hypnotic grace. Still, it can be difficult getting a fix on Kidman's Anna; slightly dazed and miles away, she's just beyond our reach. When Anna doesn't grill this gravely serious child on his story, such as demanding proof about who he says he is, she comes off seeming a bit hapless. Anna's family is just as ineffectual: they welcome the boy into their apartment, but instead of asking him questions they give him dessert. "Birth" has a mesmerizing setup, and has been directed with an arty sort of sophistication that primes us for a shrewd and cunning human drama. Glazer's downbeat ending is just tantalizing enough to cause discussion but, ultimately, it's a short-cut around the real issue: that the pieces of this mystery slowly lose their sting after a plot-thread is introduced involving Anne Heche and a box full of unopened love letters (which I didn't buy for a moment). Excellent performances, nevertheless, including Lauren Bacall as Kidman's mother, Danny Huston as the new fiancé, and Cameron Bright as the peculiarly focused and intense lad. Largely overlooked at awards season, though Kidman did receive a Golden Globe nomination for Best Actress-Drama. *** from ****

Grieving widow Anna struggles to live with the death of her husband Sean, on the eve of her wedding engagement to her new man Joseph, a young boy named Sean, claims to be her dead husband.

I had all but forgotten this film, it made an impact on me when I first saw it, and earthing it twenty years onz it's still shocking, surprising and entertaining.

Definitely an overlooked gem, it's a zany and bizarre plot, but it works. If you're able to put yourself in Anna's shoes, you'll be able to fully immerse in the plot, can you imagine someone coming up to you and eating that, knowing what he did, talk about unsettling.

I have always admire Nicole Kidman for one very specific reason, the fact that throughout her career she's always been prepared to do roles like this, and star in films that were somewhat off the beaten track, I'm sure in 2004 she'd have been able to name her role, she'd have been a big coup.

It works because of a young Cameron Bright, who loads Sean with sincerity, he's quite brilliant.

The big talking point, the bath scene, one of those moments where you'll say to yourself..... they'd never get away with that now, and I'm sure they wouldn't, I suppose they go to far, but film making has always been about pushing the boundaries.

I've never been sure about the biggest mystery of this film, Sean's identity, or why on Earth Anna would even consider spending an hour, let alone a lifetime with Joseph, what a narcissist.

Sadly this film is overlooked.

8/10.