Akito HirataReview - Things We Lost In The Fire
March 31st 2009 02:31
Halle Berry is Audrey Burke, mother to Harper and Dory and grieving widow to her husband, Brian (David Duchovny), who recently died in a tragic shooting. Prior to the funeral, Audrey realises she has forgotten to notify her husband's closest childhood friend, Jerry Sunborne about Brian's death. Jerry is a heroin addict living in a halfway house and while not liked by Audrey, was always supported by Brian. Out of a sense of loyalty to Brian that she can't even fathom, she offers to let Jerry stay in the family's garage.
Audrey's hatred for Jerry is deep rooted and at one point she even says to Jerry "Why wasn't it you, Jerry? Why wasn't it you?" Harper and Dory warm to Jerry immediately and their relationship is a constant reminder of Brian's death. Much to Audrey's annoyance, Jerry even succeeds in getting Dory to put his underwater in the swimming pool, which was something even Brian could not succeed in doing. "It was something that Brian tried and tried to get Dory to do, but he couldn't. And that victory today of getting Dory's head to go under was not supposed to be YOURS. It wasn't meant for you to have that moment.
Their relationship ebbs and flows throughout the film. He supports her as best he can to help her come to terms with the death of her husband and she offers her support for his drug addiction. At no point throughout the film does Jerry presume that he could ever step in and fill his friend's shoes which keeps it cemented in realism.
Danish director Susanne Bier previously gained international acclaim for her Oscar nominated film After The Wedding in 2006. She shows off her skill in managing to capture a very up close and personal film, particularly in light of her signature handheld camera work.
This is a slow moving film but despite the depressing subject matter, seems to err on the positive side ultimately being about recovery and healing.
Voyage Review: 4/5
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