InfantileBy John DeSando, WCBE's "It's Movie Time," "Cinema Classics," and "On the Marquee"
What were they thinking, those producers of Babies? The documentary about four international little ones from their first days to walking time is not imaginative, comical, or engaging. I couldn't wait for this dull doc to be over.
The babies are from Namibia, Mongolia, Japan, and the US. One or two are homely and sedentary; one is a born explorer and fun to watch abuse goats; the fourth is obviously forgettable as I haven't a clue about him or her-the baby swiftly left my memory. Intercutting among the babies doesn't even mitigate the boredom.
Just think about the last time you looked at friends' pictures of their new baby. Can't wait for it to be over? Right?
Without narrator or inspiring cinematography, Babies is infantile.
John DeSando teaches film at Franklin University and co-hosts WCBE 90.5's It's Movie Time, Cinema Classics, and On the Marquee, which can be heard streaming at http://publicbroadcasting.net/wcbe/ppr/index.shtml and on demand at http://www.publicbroadcasting.net/wcbe/arts.artsmain Contact him at JDeSando@Columbus.RR.com