Babel

The interwoven and seemingly unrelated plot lines of Babel made for an interesting and engaging experience. The notion of the "Butterfly Effect," was a prevailing theme throughout the course of the film. The fact that the four stories took place on 3 separate continents is suggestive that the film was trying to affirm a sense of globalization and unity that has become prevalent in out society.
That being said, the film portrays strong anti-american sentiment. The story of Maria's crossing of the border to Mexico with the two children, and her detainment and deportation when she tried to cross back, paints U.S. authority in a negative light. Also, the U.S.'s over-reaction to what they claim to be a "terrorist attack" in Morroco when put in juxtaposition with the story of the two Morrocan boys, makes the U.S. seem entirely ignorant and self-serving.
I think a major point that this film touches on is global unity, and the resistance of the U.S.
to accept this unity. The U.S. serves as an unwieldy and uncompassionate entity that hinders the flow of ideas into U.S. culture. The refusal to accept this notion of sameness and unity leaves the united states cut-off, as opposed to understanding of the connectedness of us all in this society of communication.