March 15, 2008

Welcome to a story of life’s twists and turns. Welcome to a story of a harsh reality that no one should have to face, but is faced everyday. Halle Berry and Benicio Del Torro invite you into a world gone astray. Audrey (Berry) has just been handed the most terrible news any wife and mother could ever receive. Her husband (David Duchovny) was shot trying to save the life of a woman he didn’t know who was being beaten by her husband.

This story starts out with a glimpse at a special family who loves each other and lives a simple life. Duchovny plays a architect who has a friend with a drug problem. Even though his wife doesn’t like the idea of him visiting Jerry (Del Torro) he continues to do so. Bringing him groceries and offering friendship Duchovny does all he can to help his friend. Jerry has and addiction to heroine and has been living in a run down one room apartment in the worst part of town.

One of the twists in this movie is the place in which Duchovny is murdered. Audrey and the family are just spending time together waiting for Duchovny to return home with the ice cream he promised the children. There is a dramatic scene were Audrey hears the news of her beloved husbands death. With the heart breaking acting Berry performs you will not be able to not feel some of the pain and torture Audrey feels inside. The faces of the children will break your heart. The idea of having to tell your children their father will no be coming back home inspires strong emotion. I don’t think many will be able to not feel some of the children’s sorrow.

At the funeral of Audrey’s husband, she suddenly remembers that Jerry has not been told of his death. She frantically has her brother go and retrieve Jerry. The reaction of Jerry (Del Torro) you will see just how much Jerry depended on the friendship. Jerry only had one person left in the world who really believed that he could change. With the death of such a close, beloved friend Jerry decides to turn his life around and try and become sober.

It’s not long until Audrey goes and try’s to invite Jerry into her life. Reaching out for anyone to fill the void her husbands death has caused Audrey looks for anyone to keep her company as he deals with this incredible loss. Through this story you will have a look into the happiness and the hardships these two people will have to face as their lives are completely changed. Starting over is what this movie is all about. Second chances are hard to come by and even harder to fulfill.

The Special Features this movie offers are 7 Deleted Scenes and a Featurette: A Discussion About: Things We Lost In The Fire. The seven deleted scenes offer a little more incite into the lives of Audrey’s family and Jerry’s life. The seven deleted scenes are not to be missed. The Featurette also add’s a look at just how the actors and the directors wanted to you to see the movie. It lets you understand the emotions and the feeling’s they were trying to get across through out the movie.

Filmmaking: 7
Things We Lost in the Fire is a heart warming tale, directed by Susanne Bier. This film is cast in a shadowy reality that not many of us will ever visit. Bier directed this film in a way that will have you asking why and understanding the answer. The cast is unique but it relates to everyone, the family this movie portrays will capture your heart. The set that this is set on is unique and I really appreciate the realism that this film offers.

Graphics: 7
Graphics, how do you describe the graphics of this film? I would say that for the most part you see the real thing. With all of the close ups of each actors face you lets your see just how real they are. This movie was for the most part film in a shadowy world with a faint glow in the background. The lighting and the lack of light really set the mood for a movie of this nature. When you watch this movie you can see and feel the gloom that surrounds this story.

Sound: 8
The sound in this movie is very interesting. Most of the time seems there is no background music at all. There is silence during some of the most emotional scenes. Then other times you will be jolted with the loud music Jerry (Del Toro) listens to with his head set. The music you hear coming out of Jerry’s headset really sets the mood for the chaotic life he leads. The music almost lets you understand how much of a roller coaster Jerry’s life has been.

Value: 7
This movie is a movie about a sad reality that many people face. Most of the time you will be thinking about how these events would affect your own life. This movie is defiantly invokes strong emotions and is something that lets you appreciate just how good life is and just how easy it can be changed irreversibly. I really think this movie I a movie anyone could enjoy. This move is about life, living and loving.

Overall: 7
Overall this movie is presented very slow paced. One thing that I would change about the movie is the amount of flashback you see of the father. I really don’t thing that they gave you enough to really know who he was and just how valuable he was to his family. I lot of things, such as the cause of death and the story of Jerry’s life are left out. I really would have liked to know a little more about Jerry. What caused his life to take such a drastic turn for the worst? What moment in his life did he realize that he was an addict? I would have liked to know more about the relationship between Jerry and the father (David Duchovny). A lot of things were left up to the imagination that’s why I have rated this movie this way.