Is grief something that can truly vanish, or does it just lie inactive, waiting to resurface? Losing a loved one can be one of the most profoundly in a person’s life, and in Jonathan Glazer’s 2004 film Birth, Anna () is still coming to terms with ten years without her husband, Sean. But she’s beginning to move forward, having found a caring partner in Joseph (Danny Huston) and agreed to his marriage proposal. Even with Anna’s hesitation, there’s a subtle sense of expectation as she gets ready for the next chapter of her life.
But one night, at her engagement party, a 10-year-old boy (Cameron Bright) arrives at Anna’s apartment and says he’s the reincarnation of Sean. It sounds ridiculous, but the child has knowledge about Anna and Sean’s relationship that he couldn’t possibly have. His certainty and insights make Anna doubt everything and slip back into the hopelessness of grief as she considers the unthinkable.
Birth is a slow-paced, visually artistic, and puzzling film. Glazer himself described it as which is very accurate. Its concept is ambitious, but when you watch it, everything feels completely rooted in reality. And now it’s simpler than ever to watch it yourself, since Criterion has put out a .
How was Birth Received Upon Release?
To put it briefly, very poorly. It debuted at the 2004 Venice Film Festival, and the press screening—usually calm, quiet events—resulted in . It stirred up some controversy because of its uneasy subject matter, especially a scene where Anna and the young Sean take a bath together (they weren’t actually filmed naked, but the movie gives that impression). News of the Venice screening spread quickly, and Birth seemed doomed right from the beginning. The film made only $23.9 million globally on a $20 million budget.
Critics back then were also very negative. Jack Matthews “corny, slow-moving” and “unbelievable,” while at , David Denby called Birth a “strange mix of talented people and foolish ideas.” It wasn’t entirely negative (Roger Ebert, for one, praised it), but it only got a 42% rating on .
Why Is Birth Important to See Now?
Even though it was badly received, Birth has gained a bit of a cult following. Since making Birth, Glazer has directed two highly praised films: Under the Skin (2013) and The Zone of Interest (2023), the latter of which won an Oscar. That’s made people go back and check out the one film in his career that’s seen as a failure. Anyone willing to watch Birth will get to experience a beautiful, weird, and captivating world. So much of modern cinema—especially streaming content—is being simplified, but Birth makes you think about everything you’re seeing, and keeps you thinking long after the movie ends.
On a more practical note, the new 4K release looks amazing. Cinematographer Harris Savides uses visually striking compositions that leave a lasting impression, and every shadow is intentional and suggestive. There’s an incredible tracking shot that ends with a close-up of Anna at the opera which is worth buying the release for by itself. In that shot, Anna deals with the news that her late husband might be back, shifting between excitement, anxiety, fear, nervousness, and confusion. Kidman’s performance in Birth is outstanding, and it’s one of the most exceptional depictions of grief I’ve ever witnessed.
What New Features Does the Birth 4K Blu-ray Have?
This doesn’t have a lot of new extras, but what’s there is all interesting. There’s a making-of documentary with plenty of behind-the-scenes clips, and a long 2004 Charlie Rose interview with Kidman and Glazer. The best part, especially for anyone interested in cinematography, is a detailed look at Savides’ work, explained by camera operator Craig Haagensen and first assistant cameraman Eric Swanek. There’s also a thoughtful essay by Olivia Laing in the disc’s booklet. Here’s Criterion’s complete list of features:
- New 4K digital restoration, supervised and approved by director Jonathan Glazer, with 5.1 surround DTS-HD Master Audio soundtrack
- One 4K UHD disc of the film presented in Dolby Vision HDR and one Blu-ray with the film and special features
- Interview from 2004 with Glazer and actor Nicole Kidman
- New documentary on the making of the film featuring behind-the-scenes footage and interviews with Glazer, producers, and members of the cast
- New program on the film’s cinematography featuring interviews with camera operator Craig Haagensen and first assistant cameraman Eric Swanek
- Trailer
- English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing