MOVIE OF THE WEEK (10/13/23): THE BURIAL

"When I move, you move – just like that!" Willie Gay (Jamie Foxx, center) and Mike Allred (Alan Ruck, to the immediate left of Foxx) prepare for war a.k.a. litigation against Ray Loewen's massive funeral empire in a scene from THE BURIAL. Credit: Skip Bolen © Amazon Content Services. All rights reserved. 

WATCH THE TRAILER HERE:

 

  

KEY CAST MEMBERS: Jamie Foxx, Tommy Lee Jones, Mamoudou Athie, Jurnee Smollett, Alan Ruck,

Bill Camp, Pamela Reed, Dorian Missick and Amanda Warren

THE BACK STORY: Inspired by true events, THE BURIAL stars Jamie Foxx as Willie Gay. Who is Willie Gay? Well, he's a self-made man, the son of sharecroppers in Florida who has created his own mini legal empire. A superstar lawyer, Willie hasn't lost a case in 12 years, which is why he has a 50-room mansion, luxury cars and the "Wings of Justice," his own private plane. 

By comparison, Jeremiah "Jerry" O'Keefe is a fairly simple man to say the least. The owner of eight funeral homes in Southern Mississippi, he's hoping to leave the family business (which he inherited from his father) to his extended family. Given that he's got double digit children of his own and even more grandchildren, that legacy is one he takes very seriously. Unfortunately, some bad business deals have left Jerry needing income quickly – which is why he decides to take the advice of his longtime lawyer and friend Mike Allred (Alan Ruck) and sell three of his funeral homes. The buyer? Ray Loewen (Bill Camp), the billionaire owner of Loewen Corp, the funeral industry giant with more locations than Willie has jewelry ... And Willie has a lot of jewelry.

But when the handshake deal between Loewen and Jeremiah goes south, Jerry's young apprentice lawyer seemingly in training Hal Dockins (Mamoudou Athie) assesses the situation and comes to a realization: Given the demographics of the county where Jerry's lawsuit has been filed, having a lawyer that is both talented and that the jury will likely identify with is going to be crucial to winning the case. That lawyer? Yup, you guessed it, Willie Gay.

Apprehensive to take the case at first, Willie eventually relents and begins preparing. But Loewen has deep pockets and hires an extremely talented legal team of his own that is also well-suited for the jury. It's leader? Mame Downes (Jurnee Smollett). And as Willie is about to find out, Downes is nicknamed "The Python" for a reason.

So ... What happens in this David vs. Goliath legal tale for the ages that delves into everything from contracts to family to shady business and even African-American history that Ron DeSantis and Sarah Huckabee Sanders will hate? You'll have to get Amazon Prime to find out.

THE REVIEW: THE BURIAL is entertaining for many reasons. It's not just because Foxx and Jones are accomplished actors who can convey a broad range of emotions, have a great chemistry and are able to take their characters' contrasts and transcend them into appeal that cuts across demographics. Likewise, it's not because the film hits all the standard courtroom drama beats without feeling like a song that has been played to death (no pun intended).

No, it's not even because Athie may be the greatest actor alive at playing "the sky is falling and what are we going to do" black guy in ages. (The fact he is smiling in his imdb.com picture feels shocking given his on screen presence.) What makes THE BURIAL work so well is the interplay between the characters that makes their relationships interesting. 

Jones and Foxx characters exhibit an onscreen bond that makes their friendship feel as genuine as it was in real life. Likewise, the competitive yet professional respectfully battle between Foxx and Smollett heightens drama to the situation without ever feeling corny or superficial. As a character driven film, both situations are crucial to the film's enjoyability; otherwise it could play out like your average TV drama. Instead, the film has a bit of the same vibe as AIR, both exploring how their situations are far more important and deeper than the subject matter would originally have you believe. Every character learns a lesson without feeling preachy or superficial, another facet of the film director Maggie Betts deserves kudos for execution-wise.

A film that is the definition of an audience pleaser without feeling sappy or superficial (save for some outrageous courtroom moments), THE BURIAL proves that Jones' and Foxx' respective careers are very much alive. 

If nothing else, you will never listen to Toni, Tony, Toné the same ever again.

OVERALL RATING (OUT OF FOUR POSSIBLE BUCKETS OF POPCORN):