It is not "12 Angry Men" level courtroom drama but it is worth watching. Acting is really good in every way. Sad to see another great actor, Jones is getting old.
It is based on a true story, slapping historical racism in our faces. Nicely done.
I wasn't expecting much. I really like Tommy Lee Jones and Jamie Foxx, but I hadn't heard of the movie until it flashed on my Amazon suggestions. Based on a true story is also one of my favorites when looking for a feel good film.
This knocks it out it the park. Jones and Foxx have a special chemistry, hopefully reflective of the two men they portrayed. it calls out corporate racism in a unique way that is often overlooked, while also calling out the will known abuses of the small businesses they compete with.
I highly recommend. 10/10.
Another great performance by Jamie Foxx.
The movie is a good, satisfying, serviceable courtroom drama with a great cast. If you like this genre, you'll have a good time.
What I can't get over is that a white man, who has access to generational wealth and then lost it because he's bad at business, was awarded an unfathomable amount of money because the company that screwed him over screwed over the Black community way worse. I kept waiting for there to be a follow up that they filed a class against Lowen (sp?) on behalf of the impacted communities but no.
Sure the white guy set up a charity that gave a percentage to the Black community, but that's not the same as awarding them directly. This is how generational wealth is kept from certain communities. Really fucked up.
Didn't hold it too much against the movie rating because it's real life and that's what actually happened but the"triumphant" ending fell extremely flat for me that these rich men all just got richer by exploiting the suffering of these communities for their own profit, grotesquely mirroring the actions of the "big bad." There was no comeuppance for the NBC either. The movie could have commented on this angle but obviously chose to make this a feel-good drama about...wealthy men beating other wealthy men in court?
Heavy sigh. Fuck capitalism (and white supremacy) all day every day. I don't feel good, I feel exhausted.
Pretty stock standard "based on a true story" courtroom drama with a bit of splash from the comedic sides and some solid performances, Jurnee Smollett and Mamoudou Athie standing out for me personally.
Solidly written, decently paced and if you enjoy courtroom dramas I don't think you will go too far wrong. If you don't enjoy them, this will not be the one to win you over. Certainly not on the level of the likes of A Few Good Men, Erin Brockovich or The Rainmaker but I don't think anyone should be expecting that.
Between this and The Caine Mutiny Court-Martial coming out at the same time, if courtroom dramas are your jam you have an unexpected double feature. Again, neither are probably going to light the scene on fire, but for a genre that seems to get a lot less of them than we did 20 years ago, I'll take it.
Lawyer dramas are not typically my thing, but this is objectively pretty solid. The two leads are great as always and I could see someone loving this one.
Rating: 3/5 - 75% - Worth Watching
A great performance from Foxx elevates this formulaic legal drama.
I think I'd like this more if it was fast-paced, loud, and tense, but it was only half of each. Also, the glasses some of these guys wore are more stylish than style.
A great film, presenting a simple story, but executed in an exemplary manner, with notable performances from the actors. It addresses in an impactful way how racism is harmful to society and how the past still has a strong influence on current authorities.
Decent enough movie with a solid cast but as a courtroom drama, which is essentially what it is, it lacked the drive and tension that can make such movies stand out from the mediocrity. It has its moments and it’s watchable enough but it’s in no way memorable.
Foxx and Lee Jones are god damn geniuses. They can save any script.
A bit of a slow burner. but when you remember that this is based on a true story it's actually quite gripping. It's actually a wonderful story, well told and acted. A bit of a conversation piece!
A good and solid movie to see, and is inspired in real facts. I didn’t expected too much from this movie, but honestly, is a very good movie to watch
A great movie getting diminished by predictable motifs. There is little gray in the movie; they depict most conflicts as black and white.
The first thing you’ll notice about The Burial is the cast. While not packed with big names, the top billing of Jamie Foxx and Tommy Lee Jones is excellent. Foxx especially is in top form throughout the film and gets several opportunities to shine through long extended takes, fully inhabiting the personality of Willie Gary. I’m always a sucker for long takes in film, and when Foxx held the spotlight for a good five minutes delivering closing arguments in a courtroom early in the film, I couldn’t take my eyes off him.
Jones is exactly what you would expect from him while playing Jeremiah O’Keefe, an aging funeral home director from Mississippi in financial trouble. He plays the character pretty much one note throughout, but it feels real, exactly how a funeral director would be in every situation. Alan Ruck is chewing scenery as O’Keefe’s longtime lawyer Mike Allred, who brings some Southern “good ole’ boy” prejudice to fuel the conflict himself and Gary. It’s something that is simmers just below the surface of the first half of the film before exploding in spectacular fashion.
The great discovery for me was Jurnee Smollett, facing off against Foxx as Mame Downes, the lawyer hired by the defense. I remembered enjoying her in Birds of Prey a few years back, but don’t recall seeing her in anything else to date. While she is given a tough assignment here, she nails the portrayal as the ruthless young lawyer.
Read my full review on Substack (https://theoscarproject.substack.com/p/review-the-burial).
Excellent movie! A must watch! 10/10
Jamie Foxx sells the movie, with his opening scene (which happens to be delivering an opening argument) being my favorite of the film. Unfortunately, that means that the film peaked early. The true story lawsuit that forms the backbone of the film didn't really work for me as a story engine. It just felt like we were getting a superficial telling of what I'm sure was a much more complicated/legally technical case. Luckily, the performances were strong enough to keep me watching and I would still recommend the film to anyone looking for a solid courtroom drama.
The acting and casting was superb. I really enjoyed this movie! I didn’t google how much of the story was true because I’d like to believe it all was at least mostly accurate.
I usually avoid “based on a true story” movies because real life is such a drag. But I am so glad I took a chance on this.
Not to mention - that soundtrack is fantastic.
"The Burial" is a courtroom drama that takes inspiration from a true story, featuring Tommy Lee Jones as an elderly funeral home owner swindled by a large corporation. He teams up with Jamie Foxx's flamboyant lawyer character to fight the contractual dispute, unraveling a captivating mystery. The film's strength lies in the compelling performances of Jones and Foxx, who create a dynamic that keeps you engaged throughout the narrative. Jones, despite his age, commands the screen with charisma, adding humor and depth to his character.
While the film may not stand out as exceptionally original within the realm of courtroom dramas, it successfully presents a lesser-explored angle related to a small business and contractual fraud. The plot, grounded in reality, offers a unique twist to the genre. If you're a fan of courtroom dramas, "The Burial" delivers an enjoyable and engaging experience, thanks to its talented cast and intriguing storyline. However, those seeking groundbreaking legal narratives might not find it as memorable.
Shout by SilrogVIP 4BlockedParentSpoilers2024-01-08T20:23:41Z
Likeable characters, good acting.
But oh my, the US justice system is a complete joke. Pretty much nothing that they debated at court was about the actual case aka deal/handshake.
The movie just keeps digging out unrelated cases of racism on both sides and the end result is an absurd amount of money, that has nothing to do with the damages caused to the plaintiff.