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MOVIE REVIEW
The Three Burials of Melquiades Estrada
Starring: Tommy Lee Jones, Barry Pepper, Dwight Yokam, Julio Cedillo
Through flashbacks, dramatic, somewhat startling scenarios, a highly unpredictable plot, The Three Burials of Melquiades Estrada explores the belly of humanity: what motivates, what drives someone, what makes someone happy. The script was written by Guillermo Arriaga, the Mexican writer who wrote 21 Grams
(Sean Penn, Naomi Watts) and Amores Perros. While, the first half hour is a bit confusing and unsettling it hooks via a compelling combination of the border patrol, wetbacks, ranchers, bored housewives in a small Texan town.
A dead body is immediately found sparking a mystery to film-goers but literally being buried in this town as quickly as possible. No one wants to deal with it. No one cares how it happened, who it is or why it happened. The sheriff (Dwight Yoakam) has other things to be working on and couldn't be bothered with
the investigation into an illegal alien. Soon, rancher Pete (Tommy Lee Jones who also directs the film) approaches the sheriff to tell him that he should have been notified. "Well, you are not immediate family," he replies. "But I'm his friend," Pete says.
The Three Burials of Melquiades Estrada deals with alienation, redemption and forgiveness. In this small town, there are plenty of illegals that made it across the border that will never be full accepted and must hide out from the law most of the time. Pete hired Melquiades as his ranch hand and they became friends but Melquiades never completely felt like he fit in. The sheriff is suspicious of everyone. Pete does not trust the sheriff in matters such as the death of his friend. There is a lot going on for a small, dusty do-nothing
town. The border patrol sits along the border for hours on end, alone often not seeing anyone.
Writer's note: This film is not meant to be an attack on the US border patrol. Sure, as with any law enforcement agency it has its bad eggs. This group is no exception. Most everyone knows our borders are porous and we need to tighten them up but this film is not about that. This film is about the people on either side of the border and the collision that takes place between them. Jones does a commendable job in showing humanity and emotional toll to both sides of the situation.
Norton reads porno mags, masturbates, and shoots at foxes and coyotes to pass the time. Rachel, a local waitress in a diner that she runs alongside her husband (superb turn for Melissa Leo) passes her time with two guys-- the sheriff (she says for "obvious reasons") and Pete-- who she says is her "real love" though she won't leave her husband for him. There is not much to do in this town. She even starts to bring along the wife of the new border officer, Lou Ann Norton (a nuanced performance by January Jones) who has grown
tired of sitting in the coffee shop and reading magazines all day. Rachel and Lou Ann double date with Pete and Melquiades.
Once Pete does some of his own investigating on the side, he finds out that a rookie border patrol officer is to blame. In the middle of the night he kidnaps Mike Norton (Barry Pepper) to embark on a journey to Mexico to fulfill the longtime promise he made to his friend Mequiades: to bury him in Mexico. Norton is terrified. He is traveling with this dead body and does not know whether the journey will end in one burial or two. The wide-opening journey is at times harrowing and at times moving. The two travel over mountains and through the desert to reach the destination.
Once in Mexico the film transports into a
magical, mystical zone. Pete takes on a zen-like persona about many things. He puts Norton through hell and back. He makes Norton wish he never became a border patrol officer at times. They share a few moments. They fight. They share secrets. They face difficult moments. They act like father and son. It is truly intriguing and real. It is never staid, never conventional and completely remarkable. The Three Burials of Melquiades is genuinely sharp, provocative and special. It shakes you to the core. It is truly memorable.
Grade: ***
Recommended: Saddle-up and hang on for a rocky, way-cool ride.
By Amy Steele
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