Things We Lost in the Fire Review

Things We Lost In The Fire, directed by Susanne Bier and written by Allan Loeb, is a emotionally charged modern day masterpiece of a movie that deals with love, loss, living outside of pain, and healing. Audrey Burke (Halle Berry) and her warm and loving husband Brian (David Duchovny), married for 11yrs, are the loving parents of 10-year old Harper (Alexis Llewellyn) and 6-year old Dory (Micah Berry). They see eye to eye on everything except Brians chilldhood friend Jerry Sunborne (Benicio del Toro) who is a heroin addicted loser. The police brings to Audrey's doorstep the devistating news that Brain was killed trying to defend a woman who was being assaulted by her husband. On the day of the funeral Audrey, at the last second, remember's that she forgot to call Jerry and sends her brother Neal (Omar Benson Miller) to deliver the sad news about his friend and bring him back to the funeral. Audrey then invites Jerry to live with her during the time of the pain she has yet to face and his fight to stay clean.

From this point on you are taken on a journey of both discovery and freedom that can be raw and painful one second and bittersweet the next.Words cannot describe the feelings I was left with after seeing Things We Lost In The Fire. I have seen a many movie in my day but this one takes the level to darn near unreachable heights. Here you have a solid script writing joining forces with flawless acting to forge one powerhouse of a film. After seeing this film I quickly came to the conclusion that the Academy  should have been a little more patient in giving Halle Berry the Oscar she received for Monster's Ball. Berry acts out the stages of grief with total fire and passion aiming straight for your heart in the best and worst way possible. Just equally powerful (if not more at times) is the role of Jerry by an actor well known for delivering the goods Benicio del Toro. His performance as the drug addicted Jerry will leave you without words. Benicio's performance was so mesmerizing that in one scene (if I go into detail it will spoil a key piece of the movie) I had to push pause because it was that heart wrenching. I have seen him in many movies but this role is by far is him at his best and his best work to date!

BOTTOM LINE:

Get ready for the heavy because this one grabs and NEVER lets go. In addition to the two roles mentioned above the cast as a whole is solid beyond measure so grab the Kleenex because this fire BURNS bright!