”Babies,” the documentary movie by Thomas Balmes, is a chronicle of the lives of four infants from various backgrounds. The film is without dialogue, but bouncy music scores the moments of these infants’ lives. “Babies” reviews have generally admitted that when the 80-minute Focus Features film is cute, it may be too simplistic. Adorable little ones and emotionally manipulative music may work in commercials, but a feature-length study demands a lot more depth, say some critics. The “Babies” movie has been gaining less plot attention and more noise for claims that the product may have violated child labor laws (and may need instant cash loans to dig their way out from under a potential mountain of fines).
Did the ‘Babies’ movie mistreat just a little baby?
USA Today reports that various sources are concerned over whether “Babies” subject Hattie (who lives in San Francisco) was dealt with in a way consistent with California law. In that state, infants must be at least 15 days old and have a doctor’s note and legal permits before they could be filmed commercially. Said “Babies” in the movie are only allowed on film a maximum of 20 minutes per day, and during that time the studio must provide a nurse and teacher which the studio finances completely. This didn’t happen with Hattie within the “Babies” movie, claim critics.
Film producer said the same rules didn’t apply
This is not because they were pulling the “Do you know who I am?” card. The subject infants in “Babies” were cast before they were born, said producer Amandine Billot to the Associated Press. The kids were then filmed “in their natural environments, like a wildlife film of human babies,” as outlined by Billot. If the California Labor Board were to open an investigation, it could cost “Babies” anywhere from $ 50 to $ 5,000 per individual instance of child labor law violation.
California, the anti-’Babies’ state
Perhaps one of the most fiscally hamstrung state in America, California could be a thorn in Focus Features’ side. Thus, CEO James Schamus of Focus Features is preparing for the worst. He told the AP that no child labor laws were violated and vehemently stated that “irresponsible conjectures” against the “Babies” movie are just that – mere speculation. Schamus underscored that “the filmmakers a lot more than adhered to both the letter and spirit of the law”.
Ready to go see what the ‘Babies’ fuss is about?
Not all the “Babies” reviews are negative. Beliefnet.com maintains in their positive review the point of the film is to “revel within the miracles, radiant innocence and fun nature of babies. You won’t be able to leave the theater without feelings of warmth, happiness and delight”. Just like Sandra Bullock, brining new “Babies” into your life is not a bad thing.
Article Sources
USA Today
http://content.usatoday.com/communities/entertainment/post/2010/05/did-babies-break-the-law-/1
Beliefnet.com
http://blog.beliefnet.com/yourlittlecuties/2010/05/movie-review-babies.html
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