Acting giants Jamie Foxx and Tommy Lee Jones work off each other making a fun watch out of a deadly serious legal battle over funeral homes. What makes this movie work is the interplay between these two actors.
The points of the story and the outcome are really pretty predictable, but it’s how Director Betts, as a woman of color, deftly exposes the undercurrent of racism running through Mississippi as well as the racism and greed coming from the corporate side. Betts wrote the script with Doug Wright. They did a great job drawing out the subtle but effective acting of Jones juxtaposed with the high energy of Foxx.
Based on a true story from the 1990’s, Jeremiah O’Keefe (Jones) runs a chain of funeral homes in rural Mississippi. When he finds himself with tight finances, he looks for a way to stay afloat so he can leave it for his 13 children and 26 grandchildren. Jeremiah’s wife, Annette, (Pamela Reed) is right there for him and knows how to keep him getting bent our of shape.
He makes a deal with his long-time friend and lawyer Mike (Alan Ruck) to sell several of his funeral homes to the owner of a huge Canadian chain run by Ray Loewen (Bill Camp). Loewen turns out to be a corporate pirate ready to take advantage of O’Keefe’s financial woes.
Bright young Black lawyer Hal Dockins (Mamoudou Athie), and friend of O’Keefe’s son, suggests hiring a famous, flashy, rich Black PI (Personal Injury) litigator. Willie E. Gary is a known commodity in Florida for his outsized personality plastered on Billboards and all over TV commercials.
The first meeting with Gary and his team is funny enough as the rich Black Floridian makes an impression on the soft-spoken White Mississippian. What motivates Gary to take the case is that he wants to be the next Johnny Cochran, the famed O.J. Simpson lawyer being seen daily on TV. (Famous for “If it doesn’t fit, you must acquit.”) Foxx plays a hot shot, but is also very devoted to his craft and to his stunning and loving wife, Gloria, (Amanda Warren).
After a lot of back and forth, Gary takes the case. And Loewen ups the stakes hiring a young Black, brilliant, female lawyer with a rep for never losing a case. Mame Downes (Jurnee Smollett) is drop dead gorgeous with plenty of smarts and attitude. Betts lets Foxx as Gary have his day in the courtroom, while Smollett as Mame casts seething looks. As the legal battle continues, tension rises bright, until young lawyer Hal uncovers a pivotal piece of evidence that shows how Loewen really runs his business.
The Best part of this film is how Betts has Jamie Foxx and Tommy Lee Jones interact having having totally different personalities still able to forge trust and friendship. Stay for the end photos of the real Willie Gary and Jeremiah O’Keefe and what happened after the court case.
Jones’ deadpan facial expressions are priceless. He can raise one eyebrow and say it all. Foxx’s energy abounds and it looked like he was having a blast. You’re going to dig The Burial.
Prime Video 2 hours 6 minutes R
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