The Burial follows a charismatic lawyer and a small businessman going up against a greedy CEO of a predatory corporation. The film is currently streaming on Prime Video.
Story
Jeremiah O’Keefe signed a contract after a handshake deal with Loewen of Loewen Group to sell three of his funeral homes to get the cash and overcome his financial troubles.
Loewen is predatory in nature and practices and intends to drive Jeremiah, aka Jerry, to bankruptcy, upon which he’d be able to buy his whole business out for scraps.
Jerry’s son’s friend, young lawyer Hal informs Jerry about this, and even as Jerry’s longtime best friend and attorney of decades, Mike disagrees, he decides to sue Loewen. Hal takes him to flashy and charismatic lawyer Willie Gary.
He is a personal injury lawyer with a flawless record but Contract Law is out of his field of interest and expertise. Hal manages to convince him to take the case though and the trial begins.
Gary’s haste during the hearings led to some setbacks and his removal from the position of lead counsel. Mike’s prejudices lead to him withdrawing himself, as Gary is back on the battleground.
Jerry decided to drop the case but Hal and Gary prevented him from doing that as new evidence of Loewen Group’s exploitation of marginal communities surfaces.
Gary uses it to rouse up the jury and expose Loewen’s true colors on the stand. As The Burial concludes, Jerry wins the case and the Loewen Group has to settle for $175 million and file for bankruptcy not too long after that.
Performances
Jamie Foxx is a revelation as Willie Gary. He brings a ton of charms and magnetism to his character.
Tommy Lee Jones brings his usual facial nonchalance and deliveries here and his performance really feels authentic.
The supporting cast is filled with great actors who deliver some comparatively unremarkable work.
Positives
The Burial is oozing with the ’90s charms, both in its very filmmaking and the performances.
For a courtroom drama with clichés and tropes aplenty, this is a thoroughly entertaining film.
The central performances are too good and the film takes advantage of that as many exchanges between Jamie Foxx and Tommy Lee Jones feel all too real and authentic.
Negatives
The film tends to drag on a little bit in the middle and the creative flair to the storytelling is diluted and dimmed when compared to the early parts.
There isn’t enough of Loewen tasting defeat and losing his composure, which is a lost opportunity when it comes to a cathartic treatment of characters.
Verdict
The Burial is a hoot and even with a flurry of issues, makes for an entertaining comfort watch. From great filmmaking to greater performances, the film manages to recreate the ’90s charms of courtroom dramas in a way that’s both inspiring and hilarious.
The Burial
Director: Maggie Betts
Date Created: 2023-10-13 06:30
3.5
Also Read: The Burial summary and ending explained