38. BIRTH
 
United States
dir. Jonathan Glazer
world premiere 2004
U.S. release 2004
 

 
Because the film finds equal sublimity in romantic optimism and perverse longing, and then gradually darkens the mood with harbingers of self-deception, threats of poverty, cheated chances, and caustic rivalries, even beyond the grave. Kidman's performance, Savides's photography, and Desplat's magisterial score all belong on a short list of the decade's greatest triumphs.