End-of-the-year movie awards season is in full swing as we see the release of a film focused on a profession that has had a complex Hollywood history. Often these characters are heroes or villains, with minimal “grey area”. It’s not the police or politicians or even used car dealers. This weekend’s new release is set in the courts, and it’s not basketball, rather the lead is a lawyer. Many times they’re portrayed as sleazy, corrupt “ambulance-chasers”. Or they’re noble ” seekers of the truth” ala’ ninety-plus defender of the innocent Perry Mason, who made a huge impact on TV after becoming an icon in “dime novels”, early “talkies”, and radio. But this film isn’t from the pen of his creator Gardner or the current courtroom scribe, Mr. Grisham. It’s taken from the 25-year-old headlines and news reports, making this work a docudrama. Even though several moviegoers may believe it’s a horror story, it does figure into the case, due to its title THE BURIAL.
It all begins in a Florida church where flashy successful personal injury attorney Willie Gary (Jaimie Foxx) keeps the congregation riveted with his “rags to riches” testimony. From there we see him in another “pulpit” as he delivers his closing summation in a trial that nets his plaintiff $75 million from a trucking firm. Hmm, now who’s the older gentleman watching intently from the court audience? We soon find out as Mr. Gary gets a most surprising visit in his opulent office from a young Biloxi lawyer Hal Dockins (Mamoudou Athie) and his client, that same trial spectator, Jeremiah O’Keefe (Tommy Lee Jones). Gary listens to Hal as he recounts O’Keefe’s story. He’s a respected member of the Biloxi, Mississippi community who owns several funeral homes and a “pre-need” insurance company. All’s well until he gets a visit from the state. It seems he must have a minimum amount in savings assets to keep his license and O’Keefe doesn’t have the funds. He consults his longtime local lawyer Mike Allred (Allan Ruck) who recommends that he sell a couple of his funeral homes. Allred then arranges for them to meet Ray Loewen (Bill Camp), whose Canadian funeral services company wants to expand further into the States. After a fancy seafood dinner on Ray’s yacht, they strike a deal for three O’Keefe locations with the verbal promise that Loewen will let Jeremiah keep his insurance services at them. An “open-ended” contract is signed, and the Loewen company stalls on the finalization, causing Jeremiah to close down much of his chain after his license is pulled. Jeremiah thinks that Mike is too eager to settle for a meager amount, so he turns to Hal who runs a tape of a TV piece on Gary. But Mr. G is reluctant since he’s never taken a contract case, nor has he had a white client. And that five million seems paltry. But Hal convinces him and soon Gary brings his team to Biloxi via his private jet (“Wings of Justice”) to face off against the Loewen legal team led by the fierce and formidable Mame Downes (Jurnee Smollett). Has Willie “the giant slayer” met his match? Will his streak of court victories finally snap as he enters this unfamiliar territory?
The film’s power is primarily due to the compelling and quite different performances of the Oscar-winning lead actors. The more flamboyant (of course) role showcases the skills, comic and dramatic, of the fabulous Mr. Foxx (okay, fantastic too). Foxx makes a “full meal” of the larger-than-life, but very real, Mr. Gary. He’s the hero we want to root for, despite his flashy swagger, as he delights in deflating the “fat cats”. And yet, Foxx shows us his softer side, as he feels the pangs of self-doubt when the courtroom ceases to be his “showroom”. A big part of his concern stems from the unlikely bond with O’Keefe who is given gravitas and dignity by the subtle and superb Mr. Jones. This is one Biloxi boy who won’t take folks talking “down” to him, nor will he be “bulldozed” by Gary or the funeral “kingpins”. Jones’ quiet draws us in and gives real power to this dramatic duo. As the defense attorney Downes, Ms. Smollett is a most worthy and smart adversary, unafraid to “mix it up” with the “boys” while preparing to use every ounce of her law-school savvy. What a pleasure to see the always enjoyable Mr. Ruck (how many decades after playing the BFF of Ferris) as the old pal of Jeremiah who tries to hide his wounded ego to help the case. He even gets a turn on the witness stand, with Ruck conveying every manner of emotion during a brutal “cross-exam”. Every good story needs a great villain, and Camp is more than up to the task making Ray the dead-eyed face of greed and deciet. His annoyance at being in court during the big third act almost steals the movie. There’s also solid support from Athie as the amiable young lawyer who learns to take a stand and become the hard-working “brains” behind the “dream team”. And it’s great to see TV and screen vet Pamela Reed as Mrs. O’Keefe who provides moral strength to her hubby while being as pivotal a partner to him as Gary.
In her third feature film, director Maggie Betts, who co-wrote the screenplay with Doug Wright adapting the article by Jonathan Carr, guides this incredible ensemble and somehow makes funeral contract law an engrossing story element. Yes, it is the main plot, but it’s not overshadowed by the big personality of Foxx’s Gary. Though many scenes outside the court occur in offices and conference centers, there’s no claustrophobia. That is until the characters come into intense disagreements, giving the pace a needed “spark”. Unfortunately, the film needs a bit more of it as it battles a midpoint “lull” as Foxx is pushed to the sidelines. Luckily this leads to a rousing finale, but much of that infectious early energy is drained. This is offset somewhat by the tender sequences involving the O’Keefes and the Garys (despite the chaste verbal flirtations with Ms. Downes). Plus it’s hard to disparage a real “David vs. Goliath” story with a crackling last-act showdown ( and bucking the court film trend of lengthy final summations). Despite the troubles with the flow of the story, fans of Jones and Foxx will dig (sorry) THE BURIAL. Court adjourned!
3 out of 4
THE BURIAL is now playing in select theatres and streams exclusively on Amazon Prime Video
