The Burial review
The fact that The Burial is a compelling and entertaining film shouldn’t come as a surprise.
Not when it stars two Oscar winners in Jamie Foxx (Ray) and Tommy Lee Jones (The Fugitive) bouncing off each other for most of the movie. Throw in Jurnee Smollett, a performer overdue for hardware in her trophy case, and it’s an easy winner.
What’s surprising is how director/co-writer Maggie Betts makes this legal dramedy so fun despite its weighty subject matter and subplots.
Based on Jonathan Harr’s 1999 article in The New Yorker, The Burial explores Willie Gary (Foxx), whose flashy suits and Baptist preacher delivery belie his effectiveness as an attorney. Willie’s gone 12 years without losing a case. That’s in part because he takes personal injury cases that are near locks. It’s not a bad strategy as it’s afforded him to live a legit Lifestyle of the Rich & Famous. Check out the spacious mansion and private jet.
Willie is approached by Hal (Mamoudou Athie, Black Box), the young lawyer representing Jerry O’Keefe (Jones). Jerry just celebrated his 75th birthday. He wants to make sure he’s in a good position to leave behind the family funeral home business to his children. But a few bad business deals have put Jerry in a bad position.
Jerry’s longtime friend and attorney, Mike (Alan Ruck, Freaky), finds a potential buyer for some of his eight funeral homes. Canadian billionaire Ray Lowen (Bill Camp, Joker) sees the payday of buying up funeral homes since it’s always a thriving business.
Betts’ introductions to Willie and Ray are noticeably different despite both living lavish lifestyles. Willie is shown as a man of the people in church with his supportive wife, Gloria (Amanda Warren). Ray is on his luxury yacht bragging about his wealth.
Ray screwed Jerry on the contract and Hal thinks Willie is the man to help Jerry get justice. Initially reluctant to take the case, Hal sells Willie on the idea that it could open bigger doors for him. Betts and co-screenwriter Doug Wright sell Willie’s ambition without making him too ego-driven to care about the little guy.
Willie envisions squaring off in a courtroom against Johnny Cochran. At that this point in the film, Cochran is a little busy is in the midst of the OJ Simpson trial.
For now, Willie’s got to contend with Ray’s version of his Dream Team fronted by Mame Downs (Smollett). Mame is driven and determined, but fortunately not written like a cold antagonist. There’s some strong back and forth and sequences where Mame and her team get major wins in the courtroom forcing Willie and crew to rethink their strategies.
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With the first hour, Betts establishes a lighthearted legal comedy with dramatic elements. There’s an easy temptation to just let Foxx’s boundless charisma run loose and it is brightly on display. Foxx has rarely been better as he seems to be charged up for playing such a complex person with multiple layers to him.
Jones, Smollett, Athie, Ruck and supporting cast members like Dorian Missick have little problem keeping up. This makes the second half’s shift to a more serious tone somewhat surprising.
That’s not an impossible to overcome obstacle. Foxx and Jones can shift into heavy dramatics on a dime. The ease in which they shift with the film’s changing flow helps provide The Burial’s steady foundation providing two of my favorite performances this year. The Supporting Actress category is always crowded, but I’m not betting against Smollett to at least be a strong contender.
Betts breaks up the standard camera angles with some well-timed drone exterior shots, tight jury reactions and wide angles to take in the broad landscape.
Wisely, the script doesn’t brush Gloria and Jerry’s wife, Annette (Pamela Reed), to the background. They’re both provided solid scenes to be more than just listening ears.
The Burial is an enjoyable legal underdog story featuring a magnificent performance from Foxx that makes it a case worth watching.
Rating: 9 out of 10
Photo Credit: Amazon
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