21 Grams is a 2003 American drama film directed by Alejandro González Iñárritu and written by Guillermo Arriaga. The film's title refers to the theory that the human soul weighs 21 grams and departs the body at the moment of death. The film's nonlinear narrative structure shows the three main characters' different perspectives on the same events and their lives before and after the accident that brings them together.
Paul Rivers (played by Sean Penn) is a dying mathematician who has given up on life and his loveless marriage to Mary (played by Charlotte Gainsbourg). He is waiting for a heart transplant and contemplating suicide. Christina Peck (played by Naomi Watts) is a suburban housewife who appears to have it all – a loving husband and two young daughters. However, her past drug addiction and affair with a former lover haunt her. Jack Jordan (played by Benicio Del Toro) is a born-again Christian who has turned his life around after serving time in prison. He is a devoted husband and father to his two children but struggles to provide for his family.
The film's plot revolves around a tragic car accident that kills Christina's husband and two daughters and leaves her in a critical condition. Paul receives a new heart from the accident victim, and Jack was driving the car that hit Christina's family. The three characters' lives become intertwined as they grapple with their grief, guilt, and different perspectives on faith, love, and redemption.
21 Grams received critical acclaim for its powerful performances, nonlinear storytelling, and themes of mortality, fate, and interconnectedness. Sean Penn, Naomi Watts, and Benicio Del Toro all earned Academy Award nominations for their roles. The film's title inspired other works of art, including music albums, books, and films.