Is Babylon based on a true story? Check Plot and Ending
by Aishwarya R
Updated Apr 03, 2023
Babylon
Damien Chazelle's 2022 film, Babylon, is an epic period black comedy-drama that delves into the tumultuous era of Hollywood's transition from silent to sound films during the late 1920s. The film boasts an ensemble cast, including Brad Pitt, Margot Robbie, Diego Calva, Jean Smart, Jovan Adepo, and Li Jun Li.
Chazelle started working on the project in July 2019, with Lionsgate Films initially in talks to acquire it. However, in November 2019, Paramount Pictures secured the worldwide rights. The main cast members joined the project between January 2020 and August 2021, and filming took place in Los Angeles from July to October 2021.
Babylon premiered at the Samuel Goldwyn Theater in Los Angeles on November 14, 2022, before its release in the United States on December 23. Critics had mixed reviews for the film, praising its cinematography, score, editing, production design, lead performances, and themes, but were divided on its graphic content and lengthy runtime. Nonetheless, it received nominations in several award shows, including five at the 80th Golden Globe Awards (with Best Original Score being the only win), nine at the 28th Critics' Choice Awards (including Best Picture), three at the 76th British Academy Film Awards, and three at the 95th Academy Awards.
Is Babylon based on a true story?
No, Babylon is not based on a true story. The movie Babylon is a work of fiction, featuring characters like Jack Conrad played by Brad Pitt and Nellie LaRoy played by Margot Robbie, who never existed in real life. The same goes for the other prominent roles played by actors such as Diego Calva, Jean Smart, Jovan Adepo, and Li Jun Li. However, director Damien Chazelle has drawn heavily from real-life personalities who were active in Hollywood during the same period to create his own characters. This is a common technique used in period films, allowing Chazelle to add an element of authenticity to his work without inviting criticism for inaccuracies or revisionism. While a deep understanding of this era is not necessary to enjoy Babylon, viewers who are familiar with it will likely have a more enriching and satisfying experience.
Brad Pitt's character, Jack Conrad, is heavily influenced by the life of John Gilbert, a renowned actor from the silent film era. Gilbert's career took a nosedive with the advent of talkies, not just due to his acting limitations, but also due to his controversial personal life and conflicts with studios.
Margot Robbie's character, Nellie LaRoy, draws inspiration from several real-life personalities, including Clara Bow, who was initially the primary influence when Emma Stone was set to play the role. However, LaRoy's character was later fictionalized during filming. Despite this, Bow's influence can still be detected in LaRoy's character. Like Bow, LaRoy was born into poverty, had an abusive father, and a mentally unstable mother. She entered the entertainment industry at 16 and quickly became a prominent figure in some of the most iconic films of the era. Other inspirations for LaRoy's character include Alma Rubens and Jeanne Eagels, who were both successful performers in the 1920s.
Babylon movie plot
The year is 1926 in Los Angeles, and Mexican immigrant Manny Torres helps transport an elephant to a wild party at a Kinoscope Studios executive's mansion. He meets Nellie LaRoy, an ambitious, self-proclaimed "star" from New Jersey, and is immediately smitten with her. Amidst snorting cocaine, Manny expresses his desire to be part of something greater. During the party, they carry away young actress Jane Thornton, who overdoses on drugs, while the elephant serves as a distraction.
Also present are Lady Fay Zhu, a Chinese-American lesbian cabaret singer, and Sidney Palmer, an African-American jazz trumpeter. Nellie catches the eye of a Kinoscope scout and is quickly recruited to replace Jane in a film. Meanwhile, Manny befriends Jack Conrad, a benevolent but troubled film star, and secures assistant jobs at Kinoscope.
As Nellie becomes an "it girl," Manny rises through the ranks, adapting to the technical changes of sound films. However, Nellie struggles to keep up, succumbing to drug use and gambling, which tarnish her reputation despite Manny's help.
At a party, Nellie goads her drunken and inept father, Robert, into fighting a rattlesnake, but he passes out. Nellie takes on the snake and is bitten on the neck, prompting Fay to suck out the venom and passionately kiss Nellie.
By 1932, Jack's popularity has waned, and he is reduced to working on low-budget Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer films. Sidney has secured his own musical film and orchestra. As Hollywood becomes less libertine, executives pressure Manny to fire Fay because of her perceived lesbian affair with Nellie. Meanwhile, Jack is devastated to learn of his longtime friend and producer George Munn's suicide while practicing lines with his new wife, Estelle.
Babylon movie ending explained
In 1926 Los Angeles, Mexican immigrant Manny Torres helps transport an elephant to a wild party at a Kinoscope Studios executive's mansion. There he meets Nellie LaRoy, a brash and ambitious "star" from New Jersey, and becomes enamored with her. Manny expresses his desire to be part of something bigger, and their conversation is interrupted by the overdose of young actress Jane Thornton.
Also attending the party are Lady Fay Zhu, a Chinese-American lesbian cabaret singer, and Sidney Palmer, an African-American jazz trumpeter. Nellie catches the eye of Kinoscope executives and is quickly recruited to replace Jane in a film. Manny befriends Jack Conrad, a film star, and helps him home after a night of heavy drinking. In return, Jack assists Manny in securing assistant jobs at Kinoscope.
As Nellie rises to fame, Manny adapts to the changing technology of the film industry, eventually becoming a director. However, Nellie struggles to maintain her image and becomes addicted to drugs and gambling, tarnishing her reputation.
In 1932, Jack begins to sense his popularity waning, and Sidney leaves Kinoscope after being asked to wear blackface for Southern audiences. Manny rejects Nellie's request for help with her gambling debts but later secures funds from "The Count," an on-set drug-pusher. When the money turns out to be fake, Manny and The Count visit eccentric gangster James McKay to pay off Nellie's debt. During their visit, they discover James' disturbing secret gatherings and narrowly escape with their lives.
Tragically, Jack takes his own life, and Nellie refuses Manny's offer to start a new life together in Mexico. She later dies alone in a hotel room at the age of 34. Manny returns to California with his family in 1952, visits Kinoscope Studios, and watches Singin' in the Rain, which reminds him of his journey in the film industry. A montage of film vignettes from various eras follows, ending with Manny's smile as the focus returns to Singin' in the Rain.
Is Babylon based on a true story - FAQs
Babylon is an epic period black comedy-drama film that chronicles the rise and fall of multiple characters during Hollywood's transition from silent to sound films in the late 1920s.
Babylon features an ensemble cast including Brad Pitt, Margot Robbie, Diego Calva, Jean Smart, Jovan Adepo, and Li Jun Li, among others.
Babylon was written and directed by Damien Chazelle, who is known for his work on other critically acclaimed films such as Whiplash and La La Land.
Babylon polarized critics, with some praising its cinematography, score, editing, production design, lead performances, and themes, while others were sharply divided on its graphic content and runtime. Despite mixed reviews, it received several nominations at major award ceremonies, including the Golden Globes, Critics' Choice Awards, British Academy Film Awards, and Academy Awards.
No, Babylon was a box-office bomb, grossing $63 million against a production budget of $78–80 million. Despite its star-studded cast and high-profile director, the film failed to recoup its production costs.