THINGS WE LOST IN THE FIRE

Hello all and welcome to my blog. My name is Roberto Navia but i just go by Bobby.  I hope to bring a new take on reviewing films (among other things) with this new blog i just made so go easy on me.. my couple first times around.  

Last Night, Wed. October 17, 2007 I was fortunate enough to check out a free screening of the film THINGS WE LOST IN THE FIRE, starring Halle Berry and Benicio Del Toro, which officially opens this Friday October 19.  Halle Berry hasn't had many hits at the Box office but I think this one will be a sleeper hit, its definitely what I would call a word of mouth movie.  It may not jump off running like a traditional Hollywood film, but it will most definitely find its audience.  

     Halle Berry plays a wife and a mother of 2 kids who have just recently lost their father, played by David Duchovny (X-files).  Now you might be like "ahhh damn bobby, why did you give it away" I DIDN'T ! Watch the trailer and its basically all there too.  Benicio Del Toro plays Duchovny's best friend Jerry, a recovering heroin addict, who Duchovny has never given up on.  After his death Berry's character seeks out Jerry and offers him a place to stay because she needs help with her grief.  Jerry agrees and this is where the story takes off.   

I'm currently in Film school and Flashpoint Academy in Chicago, IL and while watching this movie I paid close attention to how it was shot.  From the first opening scenes there are very bright and vibrant colors  in the house, which later on I came to feel that the house itself looked very much a place of hope for Jerry, almost like another clinic or rehab center.  Alot of Close up shots and hand held camera work amplified the mood of Berry being depressed and lost.  This films really tries to make you feel how the characters are. 

Benicio Del Toro once again pulls off a great performance and really goes through hurdles to portray what a recovering addict goes through even the temptations of relapsing.  His facial expressions and interactions with the kids bring a light comedy to the film and is a joy to see.  Halle Berry hasn't been this powerful since Monster's Ball, a film directed by Marc Forster.  While sitting in the theater, some people began to laugh because every scene she was in her face was just blank, but it wasn't funny, it was realistic.  In once scene she is cleaning  EVERYTHING in the house, and it just shows what someone will go through to try and get that feeling of sadness and sorrow out of their system.  

The movie was Directed by Danish director Susanna Bier.  It is her American directorial debut and the movie was produced by Sam Mendes, the man behind such films as Jarhead and American Beauty.   

Although being a very slow pace movie, this movie was truly realistic and plain good! lol.  The actors are powerful and the story is real.  I highly suggest giving this movie a chance and going to check it out.  It's worth the money.  

Thanks for reading! peace!