Babel: A Good Movie That I Didn't Like

I am way late in weighing in on the movie Babel with Brad Pitt. I just saw it yesterday and I found it disconcerting and unsatisfying. I had been meaning to see it ever since I first heard about it. The premise and the synopsis lead me to suspect that I would love this movie. I didn't, and I am not entirely sure why. I discussed it with a coworker today and he says he loved it. I think the director exercised too much restraint. Certain characters were fascinating and certain events were gripping, but I couldn't shake the feeling that I was wasting my time while I watched the movie.