What Is the Story About?
The Burial is based on a true story and adapted from a 1999 New Yorker article of the same name written by Jonathan Harr. Set in 1995, the film follows the undefeated personal injury lawyer Willie E. Gary who helps small-time business and funeral-home owner Jeremiah Joseph O’Keefe who is all set to sue the Loewen Group, a corporate biggie over a contractual dispute. What begins as a normal contractual dispute trial exposes an even deeper story of racism, power play and capitalism.
Performances?
The Burial has a front-loaded and highly talented star-cast under its belt. It’s not surprising when Jamie Foxx goes all guns blazing with a character like Willie E. Gary. His performance in the film will remind you how great an actor he is and how much more we deserve to see him of. He embodies every scene, the pompousness, the tenacity, the manipulative and super-charged Gary with ease.
Foxx is adequately complimented by the towering Tommy Lee Jones. The scenes that feature him and Foxx are a sight to witness and the emotional gravity he brings to the table alongside Foxx takes the legal drama to heights.
Analysis
Directed and co-written by Maggie Betts, the brain behind the 2017 festival darling Novitiate, The Burial is a legal drama that portrays capitalism, corporate menace, racism and everything in between. Based on a New Yorker column written by Jonathan Harr that goes by the same name, The Burial sees Jamie Foxx and Tommy Lee Jones in top form sinking their teeths in a story that matters. In a story that deserves to be heard.
The Burial starts off with Willie E. Gary charming an entire courtroom and jury in favour of his client’s injury litigation case, making his way through winning it for his client and Jeremiah Joseph O’Keefe watching in the audience. Then there’s a flashback that explains his motive behind approaching Gary.
As a small businessman who owns 8 burial homes, O’Keefe wants to sue the Loewen Group, a large corporate megalith over financially troubling him and not adhering to the contract signed between them to sell few of his funeral homes to escape bankruptcy. Since the Jury would predominantly be black, O’Keefe wishes to have a capable black lawyer take his case. However, Gary is reluctant to take the case because contractual law isn’t his forte.
After several attempts to persuade him to take the case citing the capitalist moves made by the Loewen Group, Gary decides to help O’Keefe. This is how the story begins. Now whatever happens in the story is for everyone to read. Gary has to face the opposition lawyer (& an entire legal team comprising of black lawyers) and win the case that’s eventually exposed to be deep-rooted in racism.
The biggest strength of The Burial is how effectively are the scenes written. The dialogues are so powerful and the actors sink their teeths deep enough to adapt to the scene without chewing the entire premise. When Gary talks about what motivated him to be a lawyer and when O’Keefe explains how he wants to save his business for his family, the viewer feels for the duo. Despite rarely having anything in common, the connect of family makes them humane.
The Burial’s writing over-rules every law of predictability despite every tom, dick and harry knowing what would happen at the end and how events unfurl. You may ask, how? Because of how effectively the political consciousness of the writer blends well with every scene that plays out through the minds and hearts of both Gary and O’Keefe. You feel them. You empathise with them and their families.
A legal drama’s success is if the narrative and writing manages to have the audience root for the right.The Burial does that and more. Powered by actors this effective, Amazon Prime Video has a winner in its hands and that makes The Burial a film you shouldn’t miss.
Other Artists?
Apart from Foxx and Lee Jones, the film has Jurnee Smollet as Mame Downes, the defense lawyer going toe to toe with Foxx. Mamoudou Athie portrays the eagerness and enthusiasm of a budding lawyer with finesse while Alan Ruck makes for an annoying smug of a white lawyer. Lest not forget, Bill Camp definitely makes for a very good antagonist.
Music and Other Departments?
Michael Abel’s music doesn’t break grounds but aptly aids the court room proceedings and the flashy and over-the-top pompousness of Gary.
Maryse Alberti ‘s camera work is adequate while Lee Percy does a fine job at the editing table.
Highlights?
Story
Screenplay
Jamie Foxx & Tommy Lee Jones
Drawbacks?
Legally information heavy
Did I Enjoy It?
Yes.
Will You Recommend It?
Yes. Definitely.
The Burial Movie Review by Binged Bureau
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