Things We Lost In The Fire
Friday, 01 Feb 2008 12:54
Separate lives joined through grief.
Directed by Susanne Bier, out February 1st, in cinemas, starring Halle Berry, Benicio del Toro, David Duchovny, Alexis Llewellyn, Micah Berry, running time 118 mins.
In a nutshell...
Do a junkie a favour
What's it all about?
Danish director Susanne Bier introduces herself to Hollywood with a debut attempt to transition down the English-language route. The movie stars Halle Berry as Audrey Burke, a broken-hearted widow and mother of two, whose loving husband Brian, Property Developer (David Duchovny) gets murdered while trying to be a hero. Determined to come to terms with her grief, she seeks out Brian's best friend, one-time lawyer turned long-term drug addict Jerry Sunborne (Benicio del Toro). Audrey attempts to puts the past behind her and offers Jerry a spare room and as he realises beggars can't be choosers, he willingly accepts. Audrey soon discovers that Jerry is the only person who can help her survive her loss.
Who's in it?
Benicio del Toro gives a terrific performance as Jerry Sunborn, the distraught heroin addict, who is motivated to get his life back on track when he realises how emotionally connected he is to his deceased best friends' family.
Whilst going cold turkey Del Toro gives us realistic nuances in his struggle to become clean and when relapsing, he strangely resembles an Ozzy Osbourne-esque character.
Halle Berry shows us her best performance since Monster's Ball (well mainly for one scene) proving that all she really needs is a good writer and a great director and she is on her way. Since giving us many disappointments in the last few years, including the terrible Cat Women and the nauseating Perfect Stranger, Berry reminds us that she is not just a pretty face and proves she can really act. We have to "Hail" Berry for some remarkable, goose bump sensational scenes depicted in this film.
As an example...
Dory Burke: "Are you going to die like my dad?"
Jerry Sunborne: "Yeah."
Dory Burke: "When?"
Jerry Sunborne: "Hopefully as soon as possible."
Dory Burke: [pauses] "You're joking, right?"
Jerry Sunborne: [muted] "Ha ha."
Likelihood of a trip to the Oscars?
For her first attempted at Hollywood, Susanne Bier has been impressive although it seems not impressive enough to win over an Oscar nomination this year. This film obviously had one eye on the awards season but then again, by casting two Oscar winners who wouldn't? On the other hand with great contenders such as the Coen brothers it would be a worthless fight but thumbs up for trying Susanne, we give you five stars for the effort.
Even though Oscar nominations would have been well deserved for both Benicio del Toro and Halle Berry, it may be a bit far fetched. While both are in the right role, it's probably the wrong film for their acting to be 'appreciated' enough to receive Oscar nominations.
Not to worry Del Toro and Berry, just dust off your previous gold statues and stick them back on the mantelpiece. Better luck next year!
What the others say
"Things We Lost is about catharsis and closure, but it's also pure property porn, about how to shoot your patio from the best angle upstairs." - Tim Robey, Daily Telegraph
"Sometimes the line between the great and the merely mediocre can be razor thin. Things We Lost In The Fire is right on the border, getting most things right – performances, pathos, sensitivity – yet somehow never quite coming together. Here's a film likely to prompt either gushing praise or shrugged shoulders." - David Edwards, Daily Mirror
So is it any good?
If you subtract the main cast from this film you are left with a mediocre drama about grief that you could possibly find on most low-budget movie channels. The film is more then likely to be used as a lightweight weeper destined to being watched only on rainy Sundays or at girly sleepovers.
Susanne Biel is not all at fault, especially when it comes to we viewers having cliched expectations of a film that does NOT actually travel down the oh-so-familiar cliche route. After scenes such as the 'who knows Brian better' argument between Del Toro and Berry you become utterly shocked when the outcome is not as obvious as it seemed to be.
In parts, the film had very realistic moments to it and then others not so - leaving your car in an area full of drug addicts and it actually still being there when you get back? I mean Biel, come on!
On a positive note it was a well-paced movie with good background music especially when listening to Del Toro's walkman which consisted of beautiful sultry jazz.
Arguably ruined by a couple of cheesy statements made by Del Toro to Berry but you soon learn to forgive once releasing the nose peg. Last word of warning, I'm afraid to say that the Oprah lookalike who appears in the first couple of scenes is just a lookalike - sorry Oprah fans!
Overall the cast undoubtedly improved this film and gave it potential. Halle Berry and Benicio del Toro shine with stunning performances and you can't help to love the two cute and witty children. All in all, this film is a feelgood tearjerker movie that you are glad to have witnessed and wasted a box of tissues on.
Natalie Gurvitz
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