On DVD: Things We Lost in the Fire

 

Directed By: Susan Bier

Starring: Halle Berry, Benicio Del Toro, and David Duchovny

 

Audrey (Halle Berry) experiences one of the greatest losses in life: her husband Brian (David Dechovny) tragically gets killed. Reeling from this loss, she turns to her late husband’s heroine addicted friend Jerry (Benicio Del Toro) to help her with life after loss. As time passes, the two help each other find life again. Dreamworks Pictures releases the DVD version of Things We Lost in the Fire.

 

The Movie

 

Oscar nominated director Susan Bier says that this story is like grass grown up through the pavement of pain. This is such a great description about the overall theme of this beautiful film about dealing with the ultimate loss of a father, husband, and best friend.  Writer Allan Loeb crafted this story with a great amount of care and finesse. Its basic chronology is fleshed out with flashes to things in the past where we understand the dynamic of Audrey and her husband’s family life, of Jerry’s relationship with Brian, and of the events that lead to Brian’s death.

 

Although Jerry has been a point a contention in Audrey and Brian’s marriage, he becomes Audrey’s friend after her loss. Jerry is a heroine addict, but Brian never gave up on him. He cleans up after the initial loss of Brian and moves into a spare room at Audrey’s. At first it feels as though Jerry is there to fill a lack; Audrey can’t sleep and so she has Jerry lie in bed with her like Brian did to rub her ear to help her sleep. A neighbor that used to run with Brian gets Jerry to go run with him and in turn offers him a job as a mortgage broker. Jerry also helps with the kids. Life seems to be getting back on track for him, although Audrey is still reeling from the pain.

 

However, Jerry’s addiction is an insatiable monster that won’t let go of him. He relapses after things seem to be going so well. Audrey runs and tracks him down and finds him in an alley. She gets him home where he can dry out again. Audrey, too, finally gets through more grieving with Jerry at her side to watch her break down and to help her through the anger and frustration of loss.

 

This movie is not so much about what happens as about a series of moments and images where the characters deal with pain, addiction, loss, and life. Susan Bier has an amazing ability to direct artful scenes. Some of the most telling scenes show nothing more than a portion of Audrey’s or Jerry’s faces. The close-ups give us a great glimpse of the grief involved. Susan Bier literally likes to think in terms of portraits within a motion picture. There are also many beautiful moments amidst all the pain. In one well-executed scene, Audrey has several guests over for dinner and she, the kids, and Jerry tell about what they have lost as one would tell what they were thankful for at Thanksgiving.

 

Berry and Del Toro also give wonderful performances. Berry is careful to act through the various stages of grief. She proves her acting agility as her character shuts down in withdrawal and denial and listlessness. Berry then builds up the tension as Audrey becomes angry and then finally explosive. The most poignant scene occurs when Berry wails and moans in utter sorrow in raw and animalistic tones. Del Toro also shows amazing abilities as a heroine addict. He adds just enough charm to the role to make Jerry likeable. At the same time, Del Toro can play rough and rugged well enough to depict harrowing scenes of withdrawal symptoms.

 

This is an amazing production of good acting, writing, directing and editing. It is well worth the watch.

 

9/10

 

The Video

 

Presented in widescreen format, the video quality is great. There is no graininess and the colors are vivid and crisp.

 

7/10

 

The Audio

 

The sound is presented in Dolby Digital. There are no major balance issues and there is no struggle to hear the great score or dialog.

 

7/10

 

The Packaging and Bonus Features

 

The DVD release is packaged in a standard aramay case with an austere collage of Jerry and Audrey’s pictures.

 

The DVD release offers a great bonus feature called “A Discussion about Things We Lost in the Fire”. The actors, writer, and director all discuss their takes on the story and production values of the film. Also, the DVD gives us 7 deleted scenes.

 

This isn’t a bad mix of extras for a drama.

 

6/10

 

The DVD release is worth having if you like collecting dramas. As a film, What We Lost in the Fire is well-directed and written. It is another great performance by Berry and Del Toro. This is truly an amazing gaze at grief and growing through it.

  

Overall (Not an Average) 5/10

The Review

The Movie 9/10

The Video 7/10

The Audio 7/10

The Packaging and Bonus Features 6/10

Overall (Not an Average) 8/10

 

-Chuck Knight