The movie is an absolute powerhouse when it comes to set work, framing, cinematography etc. Every shot of Kidman is framed perfectly to capture this broken character, constantly surrounded by liminal, blank spaces; a woman without purpose or direction following the death of her husband. Her clothes cling to her as if suffocating her, stopping her from breathing and moving on with her life. Visually and audibly this is a treat, the low hum of the bass throughout the soundtrack keeps a theme of unease and dread, keeping us locked into Annas tension and lack of direction. Truly excellent film-making.

With all that said, the story here is very limited and of a shocking, controversial lilt. It's downright weird to see Anna go from completely refusing Sean's proclamation, to straight up saying she's going to groom this child, wait 11 years and marry him. I understand this character is distraught and is being faced with the possibility of reuniting with her dead soul mate, but I don't see how that permits a full grown woman getting in the bath naked with said child and everything being A-OK. I feel there were much more tasteful ways to approach this, but the film gives in to controversy-for-engagement and goes full send with it.

A stunning movie in a visual and audible sense, but a gross, limited dramatic narrative drags it way, way down. I'm intrigued to see other works by Glazer as I definitely liked the composition of this one, but the handling of this storyline was way over the mark.

You know I loved Sean so much, and its been so long that I still can't get him out of my system.

I remember when it was released in 2004, there was a big hurrah about "the" bath scene, many vitriolic complaints about how slow it was, how not scary it was et al. Birth is many wonderful film making things, of course not all of those things will resonate or enthral many of the movie watching populace, yet there is such craft on both sides of the camera here, and an atmospherically ambiguous bloodline pulsing throughout, that marks it out as a particularly striking film.

Plot finds Nicole Kidman as Anna, who is about to be re-married but finds her world tipped upside down when a young boy (Cameron Bright) arrives on the scene and announces he is the reincarnation of her dead first husband...

Director Jonathan Glazer and his co-writers Jean-Claude Carrière & Milo Addica are purposely being vague, I mean lets face it, the topic to hand is exactly that, vague, and ripe for countless hours of discussion. The film simmers along deftly, meditations on love, grief and anger are skilfully portrayed by all involved. Even a birthing tunnel metaphor doesn't come off as self indulgent, from the off Glazer wants and gets those interested in the story to buy into the hypnotic qualities on show. To jump on board with Anna's fragility while all around her battle for rhyme or reason with her mindset.

In truth it's a hard sell as a piece of entertainment, there's still today, over a decade since it was released, people miffed that the hinted at supernatural elements are not key to the narrative. While the thin line of good and bad taste - and maybe even pretentiousness - is being tested by the makers, but the charges of Birth being dull are just wrong. It never shows its hand, the mystery always remains strong, while Kidman and Lauren Bacall are reason enough to admire the acting craft on show.

Hated by many, inducing even anger in some quarters, Birth is a tantalising picture. A conundrum designed to get a response, for better or worse. 8/10