Things We Lost in the Fire

Ok, I was dreading watching this film. My wife rented it and I was sure it was going to be your typical over the top melodrama, weepy film. I was wrong! This is a subtle, yet powerful film about a family learning to cope after the tragic death of their husband/father. Rather than fall into trite cliches, director Susanne Bier takes writer Allan Loeb’s script and delivers a heartfelt, sad, funny and thoughtful film.

Halle Berry is great as the grieving widow and Benicio Del Toro turns in a wonderful performance as the dead husband’s tortured friend. Berry and Del Toro’s relationship drives the storyline and provides unique opportunities for the film to talk about healing, forgiveness, redemption and friendship. John Carroll Lynch is awesome in a supporting role that Bier uses perfectly as comedic relief just as the film is getting too depressing.

While the film will make you cry, it also leaves you feeling positive about the human spirit. It’s a good cry, not a bad one.

Rating:

Film’s website: www.thingswelostinthefire.com