Babies

Passive documentary follows 4 newborns through their first year, born in Namibia, Mongolia, Japan, and the USA.  Affectionate account lacks narration or even anything resembling an inquiring mind.  We’re presented scene after scene of beautifully shot images of babies acting like babies.  Granted some of the vignettes are captivating.  Let’s face it, babies are cute.  Unfortunately, French filmmaker Thomas Balmes squanders a golden opportunity to seriously delve into the development of an infant in the first year.  Ultimately it’s just a superficial collection of home videos of children without the insight that could have elevated this film into something extraordinary.  If there is a point, it’s that babies are all the same, no matter what country or culture.  I learned that watching Sesame Street.