Things We Lost in the Fire
Directed by Susanne Bier
Written by Allan Loeb
Starring Halle Berry, Benicio Del Toro, David Duchovny
Paramount Home Video
Rated R
Release date: March 4, 2008

Hope comes with letting go.

The life of Audrey (Halle Berry) and Brian (David Duchovny) is picturesque. They have two children a boy named Dory (Micah Berry) and a girl named Harper (Alexis Llewellyn). They own a beautiful home that was designed by Brian, Audrey runs her own business, they are close friends with the neighbors, and Brian has a friend that he has been best friends with since second grade. However, this world comes to a sudden halt when Brian is killed.

The movie opens with Audrey distressed and planning Brian’s funeral. She realizes that she forgot to notify Jerry and sends her brother Neal (Omar Benson Miller — Lucky You, Shall We Dance) to pick him up. We meet Jerry (Benicio Del Toro) for the first time and he is a wreck. He has just awoken from a heroin haze and his small hovel of an apartment looks like the drug den it actually is. When Neal relates that Brian is dead, Jerry asks him “Are you joking?” Even in his altered state, we notice that his feelings for Brian are real and he cannot cope or handle the possibility that his best friend is gone. We see Jerry move through the motions of getting dressed and going to the funeral of the only person who stood by him and actually cared about him, and very importantly, who he cared about also.

Audrey then does something that is out of character for herself, she invites Jerry to live with her and the children. She has never liked Jerry because she believed him to be a mooch on Brian, so her invitation struck Jerry as a bit strange and she had to plead and tell him the request was just as beneficial to her as it was to him. The relationship Jerry builds with the children and Audrey is the crux of the movie. And it is in this instance that we learn what is truly meant by the things lost in the fire.

Maybe I am coming from a biased point of view as I have never been the biggest fan of Halle Berry, ok to the wrath of all, I hated Monster’s Ball and dare I bring up her ultimate career faux paus Catwoman, but I did enjoy Introducing Dorothy Dandridge. Wait, I must digress further, but Berry’s roles have never been showstoppers, let’s take a walk back in time and remember a few like Strictly Business, Bullworth, and Gothika. I really want to support Berry, but come on; does she really pick these roles? And I have tried to stay away from remarking on the suspense or dramatic roles she has taken in Their Eyes Were Watching God or Perfect Stranger because I feel a tad guiltier about saying she was bad in them, but, true to form, she was bad in them. Can’t blame the woman for being consistent. I would for once like to see her star in a movie, carry the movie, and be good in it. I don’t want the supporting leads to carry her. I don’t want her beauty to outshine her presentation. I just want to see good quality acting from her. I would like her earn the Academy Award she has.

Academy Award winner Benicio Del Toro controls this movie. My eyes quickly scanned and followed him when he was on screen. He thoroughly pummeled Halle Berry’s depiction of Audrey Burke, and the only person that could stand up to him was David Duchovny in the few scenes that he shared with Benicio — I think I should get to call him by his first name, after all I think he is the sole reason this movie was anywhere palatable. Unlike Berry, Benicio has a history of playing good roles well as seen in Sin City, 21 Grams, and The Usual Suspects. Benicio played a convincing junkie and an even more convincing junkie suffering from withdrawal. As Jerry Sunborne, the audience could see a true artist presenting his craft.

Lastly, I wanted to take a moment to talk about David Duchovny and his strengths and weaknesses. Duchovny did has a few moments of beauty in this movie, but, I think he is a much better TV series actor than a full length movie feature. If you don’t believe my statement watch Californication. Or even watch a few episodes of the many reruns of The X-Files. Duchovny plays jaded and nihilistic wonderfully. I thought him being the caring and doting husband was a nice change for him and it worked well, but, I would have liked a bit more of him in the movie (hello Susanne Bier {Director} and Allan Loeb {Screenwriter} that statement is directed to you because you should use a strength and Duchovny was one).

DVD Bonus Features

A Discussion about Things We Lost in the Fire
The director, Susan Bier (Open Hearts, Brothers, After the Wedding) states that the story is about coming back to life after pain and loss. She credits the movie as a personal story about human beings interacting and overcoming, in various ways, pain, and anguish. Screenwriter Allan Loeb (screenwriter for 21), producers Sam Mendes (director of American Beauty), and Sam Mercer (producer for Jarhead, Signs, and The Sixth Sense) comment on the attraction the movie has and the true life emotions portrayed in it. Side note: Things We Lost in the Fire had some high quality staff in Susan Bier, Allan Loeb, Sam Mendes, and Sam Mercer. Their movies combined have been critically acclaimed, or have been box office monsters. My question to you dear reader is this, who’s fault is it that this movie was blah? I already noted it wasn’t Benicio or Duchovny, or even the talented staff. Take a moment to think about it and then post a response.

Deleted Scenes
There are 6 deleted scenes. They are titled: Neal Does Mumsie for Dory, Dwayne Od’d, Jerry Makes Breakfast, It All Comes Down to the Finish, Family Breakfast, and Audrey Gives Jerry the Cupboard.

Theatrical Trailer
Like most theatrical trailers, this one makes the movie look ten times better than it actually is. You definitely don’t always get what you see.

Previews
Movie previews for Into The Wild, Beowulf, Margot At The Wedding, and The Kite Runner.