The Burial (2023) Review!!

Synopsis – Inspired by true events, a lawyer helps a funeral home owner save his family business from a corporate behemoth, exposing a complex web of race, power, and injustice.

My Take – We all do love a good courtroom drama! Particularly the ones that highlight a David vs Goliath story.

Though a case about contractual law involving burial insurance and contractual dispute might not sound like the most glamorous premise for a courtroom drama, in the hands of the writer-director Maggie Betts (Novitiate) and her co-writer Doug Wright (Quills), the film is indeed a winner. Familiar enough to provide a comforting watch while still providing enough challenge and intrigue to surprise.

Inspired by the 1999 New Yorker article by Jonathan Harr, the film hinges on legal specifics that might seem awfully dry on paper, but then the narrative goes on to unravel a web of racial and socio-political challenges that renders the case far more compelling than it appears on the surface.

Sure, it takes a dip every time the plot peaks and indulges in boilerplate genre elements, but the well-balanced mix of heart, humor, and performances, particularly that of Jamie Foxx, ensures that the inspirational and triumphant tale becomes a must-see, especially for fans of legal dramas.

Set in 1995, the story follows Jeremiah O’Keefe (Tommy Lee Jones), a funeral home owner whose business difficulties caused him to seek assistance elsewhere, which his lawyer Mike Allred (Alan Ruck) finds in the shape of business magnate Ray Loewen (Bill Camp) and his Loewen Group, a larger corporate promising to alleviate pressure with a small yet important deal.

For 75 year old O’Keefe priority is ensuring a future for his 13 children and 24 grandchildren, leaving them behind a legacy that they can be proud of and financially supported by. But the deal turns sour, contract left unfulfilled, and with the help of a young newly minted local lawyer Hal Dockins (Mamoudou Athie), O’Keefe is persuaded to approach Willie E Gary (Jamie Foxx), a flashy, larger-than-life personal injury attorney who had never tried to take a contracts case in his life.

Mainly as the case is set to be seen by a Black judge and, if it goes to trial, a mostly Black jury, and so the optics of having a Black lawyer is seen as vital. Though Gary is initially uninterested, but when the gravity of the case, and its potential impact is realized, especially seeing an old white Southerner being represented by a Black lawyer, he suits up, and heads out to battle Loewen’s chief counsel Mame Downes (Jurnee Smolett), exposing a larger web of race, money, and power in the deep South.

Though the 126-minute film kicks off as a simple courtroom drama between the two funeral operators, however, as the story unfolds, director Maggie Betts slowly places her cards on the table. With every passing scene, you realize that the film is more than just a legal drama. It doubles up into a needed history lesson, shedding light on the impact of Ku Klux Klan, slavery and racism in the US, which comes with its share of theatrics. The film offers viewers an emotional roller-coaster that keeps them engaged from start to finish.

The film is not just about legal battles; it’s about human connections, resilience, and the power of unlikely friendships. Right from the scene in which Gary goes big in the courtroom, playing to both his jury and to us, it’s clear that we’re in safe hands both with a crackerjack Foxx as our lead and with director Betts pulling the strings, the sort of smooth studio crowd-pleaser that was once easy to take for granted but now extremely hard to resist.

The hows and whys of the ever-evolving case are deftly explained, there are obvious yet effective pause-and-wait moments for laughter or applause and there’s emotional texture to a story that becomes less about one man and more about an entire broken system. It also highlights the testament to the strength of the human spirit and the resilience of those who refuse to back down in the face of adversity.

Particularly, exploring how a funeral company worth billions would rather resort to unethical practices to take over businesses rather than pay a relatively nominal fee. It is staggering how the real company The Loewen Group exploited marginalized and destitute communities, during a period of personal loss and grieving.

Performances wise, Jamie Foxx remind us what a powerful actor he is. Foxx is at the top of his game as the lead attorney, injecting the film with his A-list flair. His turn is convincing and filled with charm and charisma, making it evident that he’s having a blast in the role. His chemistry with Tommy Lee Jones is one of the film’s strong points. The legendary actor puts forward a subtle yet powerful performance that illuminates the screen. The scene on the flight in which their characters truly get to know each other shows how they can hold the screen together.

Jurnee Smollett is excellent too and manages to hold her own against Foxx. Mamoudou Athie is in brilliant form here, leaving behind a strong impression. In supporting roles, Alan Ruck, Pamela Reed, Amanda Warren, Dorian Missick, Jim Klock and Bill Camp are good. On the whole, ‘The Burial’ is a riveting crowd-pleasing courtroom drama with compelling performances.