Album Reviews
Movie Reviews
Past Movies
Movie Resources
Concert Reviews
Book Reviews

Top 10
Resources
Contact Us

Sometimes audiences dream of films in which the main characters do not go on and on, explaining every move they make. Your dream is a reality, for “Things We Lost In The Fire” has scarcity of dialogue, flashbacks that are confusing and a leading lady (Halle Berry as Audrey) whose emotional acting is defined by the camera showing one of her eyes at a time. On the other hand, the male stars, Benicio Del Toro (Jerry) and David Duchovny (Brian) are shown full on and you know what their emotions are right away. The script is a puzzle in which, after a third of the film is over, we finally get what is going on.

Brian and Audrey are married with two children, Harper (Alexis Llewellyn) and Dory (Micah Berry). Their house is a modern dream house and the family is happy until Brian is killed in a random act of violence. Brian has a friend, Jerry, who is an attorney-turned-drug addict, but Brian never gave up on him. At the last minute, Audrey invites Jerry to Brian’s funeral. Eventually, she decides to help him get drug-free, so asks him to move into their garage, which has a spare room. Jerry quickly bonds with the kids, who really need a male figure and miss their father. There are arguments between Audrey and Jerry. She can’t accept Brian’s death and the fact that Jerry knew Brian way before she did. What drug addiction does to a person is shown and it is not pleasant. The phrase, “things we lost in the fire,” refers to a fire in the garage before Brian’s death, in which family mementoes were lost. The story meanders along at a snail pace.

I expected more from the Allan Loeb script and Susanne Bier’s direction. With an all-star cast, the talent is not utilized. Halle Berry can emote quite well, but is given one dramatic scene here, otherwise, odd camera angles on her face, hands or feet are supposed to be acting. Benicio Del Toro gives a well-traveled appearance and does nicely as a drug addict who honestly tells anyone who asks what his life has become. When he simply states that he has known Brian since second grade, you feel the depth of the sentence. David Duchovny’s role as Brian is well-played. You feel the attachment for his family and loyalty for his friend. He and Jerry have a history that extends back through the years like brothers. 

Alexis Llewellyn and Micah Berry are naturals in their roles. She, as the older sister, is at the rebellious age, while he, as the younger brother, has the openness of youth and accepts new situations well. Omar Benson Miller as Audrey’s brother, Neal, knows what to do with drug addicts, but nothing is given of his past. I would have liked to know where and how he acquired his skills. Alison Lohman has a brief role as Kelly, a girl Jerry meets at a step-program meeting. The only reason she seems to be there is to tell Jerry that he should stay for the entire meeting.

All in all, Things We Lost In fhe Fire is a dramatic slow-ride through an emotional upheaval. We get a tour of the house, Halle’s kitchen and still wonder how Brian and Audrey met. You feel as though you entered a movie half-way through. It doesn’t fit.

Copyright 2007 Marie Asner who is celebrating 25 years as a film critic