Things We Lost in the Fire - quick review
#1
DVD Talk Hero
Thread Starter
Things We Lost in the Fire - quick review
The premise: a good family man (Brian) dies unexpectedly, leaving behind a wife (Audrey) and 2 children, and Brian's life-long best friend (Jerry) who is down on his luck due to a heroin addiction, but is very familiar with Brian's family due to their close friendship. The death brings Jerry back into Brian's family's lives.
For a film featuring a couple of Oscar winning performers, Halle Berry (Audrey) and Benecio del Toro (Jerry), the screenplay for this film is the weak point because it feels a little schizo in the way Audrey's actions push the action to produce dramatic conflict or retreat when dealing with Jerry's presence as a recovering addict, or perhaps a substitute father figure or even husband in some respects. Berry's performance is okay, but is hamstrung by the screenplay. del Toro is simply Jerry, providing a solid performance, balancing his handling of the demons of addiction and the newfound affection and sense of belonging and normalcy.
At 2 hours, it's probably about 10 minutes too long, and doesn't sugar-coat Jerry's situation, nor his impact on Brian's family.
I give it 2.75 stars, or a grade of B-.
For a film featuring a couple of Oscar winning performers, Halle Berry (Audrey) and Benecio del Toro (Jerry), the screenplay for this film is the weak point because it feels a little schizo in the way Audrey's actions push the action to produce dramatic conflict or retreat when dealing with Jerry's presence as a recovering addict, or perhaps a substitute father figure or even husband in some respects. Berry's performance is okay, but is hamstrung by the screenplay. del Toro is simply Jerry, providing a solid performance, balancing his handling of the demons of addiction and the newfound affection and sense of belonging and normalcy.
At 2 hours, it's probably about 10 minutes too long, and doesn't sugar-coat Jerry's situation, nor his impact on Brian's family.
I give it 2.75 stars, or a grade of B-.
#2
Premium Member
Join Date: Jan 2000
Location: Grazing in a field somewhere...
Posts: 23,615
Received 692 Likes
on
463 Posts
Can anyone see this title and not think of the Billy Joel song? Maybe not.
It's sounds like a real downer. Does it get better (spoilers, of course)?
It's sounds like a real downer. Does it get better (spoilers, of course)?
Last edited by The Cow; 10-20-07 at 09:57 PM.
#3
DVD Talk Ultimate Edition
This movie sounds very pretentious. I might want to check it out on DVD; but I think Barry is an ok actor, not a great one by any means.
Also, I think we've run out of good names for movies. I mean, Things We Lost in the Fire? can't wait for the sequel, Things We found after the Fire.
Also, I think we've run out of good names for movies. I mean, Things We Lost in the Fire? can't wait for the sequel, Things We found after the Fire.