Movie Club - The Three Burials of Melquiades Estrada

The Three Burials of Melquiades Estrada (2005, Tommy Lee Jones)



Okie dokie folks, I'll get the ball rolling.

As always, there's no spoiler tags here so if you've not seen the movie and would like to, read on at yer flippin' peril.

I've watched Three Burials twice now and think I love it even more second time around. A gentle, reflective and darkly comic perambulation around the notions of friendship, lonliness, guilt, redemption, relationships and probably a host more things.

Frankly, I think it's stunning.

Here's a few points for discussion on which I'll share my thoughts briefly and hopefully in more detail later on.

1. How did you think Tommy Lee Jones handled the directing duties after a 10 year gap from his only other movie at the helm (a TV movie that I either haven't seen or else forgotton all about called The Good Old Boys)?

I think TLJ owes a great deal to the redoubtable Chris Menges and the veteran Roberto Silvi for their cinematography and editing respectively. The ghost of Sam Peckinpah is wandering around, slugging from a whiskey bottle, too, and probably nodding in approval...

From an acting point of view I've rarely seen Jones better. He underplays every scene with a mixture of gruff pathos and wistful regret. Top work.

2. The rest of the cast. Any disagreements with the casting of Dwight Yoakam, January Jones, Barry Pepper, Julio Cedillo and Melissa Leo?

Nada from me - they're all spot on, particularly January Jones and Melissa Leo as the two bored, lonesome women who look at each other and see the older and younger versions of themselves, one resigned to her fate and the other still young enough to change. If only she could...

I also loved The Band's Levon Helm as the old & blind rancher, hanging on to life but wishing for something more immediate than the slow and lonely death to which he'll surely succumb. Parallels with Lou Ann and Rachel?

3. A basic one this - did you laugh?

I must admit to being in fits at Yoakam + cushion, white socks and nothng else in his pair of, admittedly gentle, scenes with Melissa Leo's Rachel.

I also let out a, possibly innapropriate, roar when Melquiades got antsy in the cave with Pete and Norton and when they tried to make him shotgun a bottle of antifreeze.

I'm not going to The Hot Place......am I?

4. The photograph - your take on it please. Was this a fantasy created by Melquiades (to hide his own lonliness, possibly) after stumbling upon a picture containing a family that he'd somewhow walked into the frame of?

Was there something going on in the village concerning his supposed wife? Remember how the two girls started laughing when Pete mentioned her name in connection with another man.

Or was there something else behind it?

Personally I'd go for the first explanation but am willing to be swayed.

5. Do you think Pete intended to kill Norton when they reached their destination and relented after seeing the genuine remorse, or was the journey always intended to be a lesson in life, loyalty and friendship for his younger compadre?

This time I'd plump for the latter but, again, am open to offers...

Ok then, it's over to you. All donations will be greatfully appreciated.

__________________
"Critics are like eunuchs in a harem; they know how the Tatty 100 is done, they've seen it done every day, but they're unable to do it themselves." - Brendan Behan

I watched this three times last weekend. I've been waiting for my effusiveness over it to boil off a bit before trying to write a review, but so far I'm still telling everyone who'll listen that they NEED to see this movie.

We're submerged in no less audacious business than Man's Inhumanity to Man, and the question of the possibility of redemption. Whee!

Writer Guillermo Arriaga illustrates these issues with both sexes, how they interact with each other and with their own gender in ways that range from subtle to over-the-top, and the result is entertaining, charming, horrifying, heartwarming and inspiring.

Oh, there I go starting a review. I'mna answer your excellent questions, D, and then go watch it again before I go further.


1. How did you think Tommy Lee Jones handled the directing duties after a 10 year gap from his only other movie at the helm (a TV movie that I either haven't seen or else forgotton all about called The Good Old Boys)?
I think the direction of this film is perfect. I think Jones has an authentic connection to the tone, characters, and landscape of the film, that allows us to see them unvarnished, but imbued with some extra kick of color. I get the feeling from seeing the thing and from listening to the commentary that he assembled the people who could best do the job - the reward for such humility is greatness.

I very much enjoyed his turn as Pete, as well. I have never seen that sort of vulnerability or innocence in him, and to see it under the wizened visage of Pete really deepens the character. He's not exactly the life of the party, but who wouldn't want to know this guy?

2. The rest of the cast. Any disagreements with the casting of Dwight Yoakam, January Jones, Barry Pepper, Julio Cedillo and Melissa Leo?

I LOVED seeing Melissa Leo in this role. I'm a fan of hers from Homicide: Life on the Street and this couldn't have been more different. Her scary gargoyle grimace of a smile as she did her utmost to scare away her younger self..... her clarity in the scene where Rachel asks Bob how long they've been married.... this is an actress at the top of her game, in a role that is deeply meaningful.

January Jones has a much less detailed character, but does a great job as lovliness personified (and devalued). Dwight Yoakum and Julio Cedillo were both spot on and yeah Levon... He was perfect.

Tommy Lee Jones describes Barry Pepper as a "cinema soldier" in reference to the physicality of his role. His character undergoes an incredibly dramatic metamorphosis, and he does a brilliant job with it.

3. A basic one this - did you laugh?

Many times. One of the most darkly hilarious things I've seen was Norton falling back into Melquiades' first grave, pinned under the corpse of his own making and screaming like a little girl. It's the first crack in Norton's overbuilt armor. Like many other important moments in the film, it has a light-hearted feel to it that keeps this movie from being a dirge, while allowing enormously important themes to play out.

4. The photograph - your take on it please. Was this a fantasy created by Melquiades (to hide his own lonliness, possibly) after stumbling upon a picture containing a family that he'd somewhow walked into the frame of?

Was there something going on in the village concerning his supposed wife? Remember how the two girls started laughing when Pete mentioned her name in connection with another man.

Or was there something else behind it?

I sincerely and devoutly hope that that is the subject of a sequel. I know, I know... "sequels. Ew". But look. There is a pause.... the slightest of hesitations.... when Pete first meets Melquiades and asks him what sort of work he's looking for. I'd bet you half my shoes there's a hell of a story there.

My fantasy is that Melquiades has walked away from a life of highly questionable morals and actions. I think he's probably done everything he is accused and suspected of. But he walked away. Somehow, he also has found redemption, or at least has repented and embraced some high ideals. And the photograph and the story of Jimenez is an idyllic life that he created as he rode away from his former life, and in the quiet hours of the evening in that little shack where he lived. I think all of that is one of the "three burials" - his burying his past. I think the woman Evelia/Rosa knows him, that they had a brief affair. But the ruins that Pete and Mike find are a century old, at least. And I think Pete gets all that when he finds the site.

5. Do you think Pete intended to kill Norton when they reached their destination and relented after seeing the genuine remorse, or was the journey always intended to be a lesson in life, loyalty and friendship for his younger compadre?
I think Pete is going on gut impulse, mostly. I don't think he knows til the end what is going to happen, nor does it seem to concern him, past the final internment of his friend. When he walks over to Norton and sees him sleeping peacefully, I think he knows then that this is not the person who killed his friend. Had Mike still been an ******* at that point, it would have been <blammo>.

__________________
Review: Cabin in the Woods 8/10

Spot on! And humility is something I would never have automatically associated with TLJ.


I bet that there is too, but I kinda like (pronounced love) the enigmatic nature of Mel's past. Kind of like Pete, who gradually realises things aren't quite what they seem, he tries to give some dignity in death to the man that he knew. The additional bonus, of course, is that Pete manages to inject some dignity and humanity to Mel's killer, a dysfunctional human being when we meet him.

Who knows how 'functional' Melquiades was in his former life? He may well have met Pete after an epiphany or maybe his friendship with the grizzled cowpoke provided that moment.

Yup, Pete has realised by then and Norton has decided to go along with him (whether through tiredness, fear, compassion or whatever) in that he agrees they've arrived at Jimenez even though the photograph Pete shows him is turned through 90 degrees.


I didn't see anything in Pete's character or actions to mark him out as a killer though agree we would probably have had a different ending had Norton not atoned.

Personally, I think Pete was more likely to turn the gun on himself...

I'm so glad you got as much out of Three Burials as I did, Cindy. Thanks for your thoughts.

One scene I neglected to mention in my opening post was the one at the Mexican bar - Beautifully shot and wistfully poignant, it reminded me of Wim Wenders or, again, a 21st century Peckinpah. Was this Pete's epiphany?

I know a few MoFos have seen Three Burials and not everyone loves the film. I'd love to hear your thoughts, to stop the thread becoming a Tommy Lee Jones love-in, if nothing else.

I liked the movie, especially the cinematography, and felt that both TLJ and Barry Pepper gave great performances, minor quibbles with some of the editing/shots chosen, but overall an enjoyable experience.
I wasn't totally blown away by it, and as I've stated in my review I felt it was a little undeserving of some of the more lavish praise I've seen heaped upon it.
A good movie, not a great one in my opinion.

__________________
Hey Pepe, would you say I have a plethora of presents?


Toga, toga, toga......


Was it over when the Germans bombed Pearl Harbour?

Well, like... which shots, and why not?

There is one shot in it that makes me catch my breath and my blood pressure goes down bout 5 points every time I see it. Right after the application of the herbs, there's a shot of blue curtains that is incredibly soothing. It's a split second, but it really clears out the static from the previous moment.

Yeah, examples please sir!

Actually, I thought the editing was deserving of particular praise throughout.

Looks like I should be recieving this from Netflix tomorrow. I think I'll be able to watch it this week. Then I'll finally be able to participate. I missed all of these since The Conversation which was (I believe) the 2nd film watched since the first movie club reboot. I'll be looking forward to it.

Just a thought: Do you think we'll ever go back to the days where people took turns picking a movie instead of voting...assuming of course that the people choosing keep availability in mind

__________________
"Like all dreamers, Steven mistook disenchantment for truth."

I can't remember particular examples, but I remember whilst watching it there was a few occasions that his cut aways or choice of shots seemed to be slightly at odds with that particular scene. As stated it was a minor quibble, and I'm of the " less is more " school of filmaking, perhaps I'm being over critical, but I have been taught that unless a shot or scene adds to the story or continues down the linear path of the film, no matter how good it looks, sometimes you have to cut the scene to make the story flow, this is my excuse as I haven't enough time to go back, watch it again and make notes, or in leyman's terms, I'm too lazy!!!
I had the same feeling with " The Constant Gardener ", there were cut aways and shots that didn't add anything to the film, and appeared almost random like at certain points at the film.
Please keep this post in mind when I eventually get some of my films finished, feel free to call me a hypocrit, just please don't call me the new Uwe Boll

Aye, but you're from Ohio, how difficult can that be?????

And so foolish Darth unleashed Cindy's " dark side ", oh how the young Dark Night would regret his flippant comments made in jest with the follies of youth!!!!

BE GENTLE WITH ME, SAMMY D.


P.S. Two posts in a row, if this was scrabble, I'd be king!

I'll bite your ears off, Darth.

Promises, promises.........

Three Burials tells the story of a man who accidentally kills another. When Pete discovers that his friend has been killed, he takes matters into his own hands as he intends to keep the promise of burying Estrada in his homeland. Pete takes Norton, the murderer, hostage and they take a long journey to bury Estrada, along the way learning life lessons.

Jones can join the list of actors who want to break their mold and become directors. When I first heard about this film, I had no idea how to pronounce it, know after seeing it, I have a better idea at how to pronounce it, but still not one hundred percent. Here, Jones actually makes a good film with beautiful cinematography, good characters, great acting, and an interesting story.

Pepper throughout the entire film gets the crap beaten out of him. This was his journey through hell. He gets the crap kicked out of him, hit the face with a gun and a tea pot, hot coffee poured on him, bitten by a snake, dragged by a horse through water, among many more things. Pepper doesn't really show much emotion, until the final scene. He mostly plays a guy hurt, until the prays for forgiveness. Jones, plays the on the verge of going crazy ranch guy Pete. Jones is definitely the highlight of the film, making it his own in every sense of the word, from acting to directing. The supporting cast deliver what is expected to help get the film along. Although, I felt that January Jones was completely useless in this film. JJ, as I like to call her, was only there for eye candy. Some may argue that she is there to show that Pepper had everything, but abused it. That message may be there, but it's buried under so much that it is lost half way through the film. I also ask myself that if you eliminate a character from a film and nothing really changes, then they have no purpose. Well, if you eliminate JJ from the film, nothing changes other then it's running time.

The film is beautiful, ranging from deserted plains to high mountains, you get the sense of a journey that goes on forever. The cinematography is one of Burials highlights. Straight from the opening shot we get a sense of what we will be viewing. Although, the camera movement was awkward in the opening, specifically when the film had to pan down to the oncoming vehicle. It seemed to jerky and off with the rest of the film for me.

Three Burials ends abruptly and leaves the viewer with questions that they have to answer themselves. If you re one who likes everything to be answered, you may want to miss this film as we are never told if the boarder patrol catches up with our two characters, or even why the one character lied to Jones. The film is told in four parts, the first two chapters, which are the "first two burials" set up for the rest of the film. The rising action of the film is known as the "journey". At this point that you are either grabbed by the film, or wanting to leave. The final act is the "third burial", which is actually the real burial of Estrada and the most emotional part of the entire film.

For a first time effort, I applaud Jones. Burials was far more then what I expected it to be. I am interested in what Jones has to offer after this film though, to see if he's a one trick pony or not. Untiul then, Three Burials is an excellent film to watch, and a good directorial debut from two face himself.

__________________
"A laugh can be a very powerful thing. Why, sometimes in life, it's the only weapon we have."

Suspect's Reviews

I have to disagree there. Dunno if 'everything' quite translates to 'pretty, dim and bored trailer trash' but, I digress.

Lou Ann and Mike's marriage is pivotal to the plot. His fear/resentment/unease with his wife and sexual dysfunction tallys with his use of pornography, and we know what happens from there.

When his boss describes Norton as a 'little pr*ck', I wonder if he was closer to the literal truth than he realised?

Lou Ann and Rachel's relationship is, I think, very important in the film. If you take Lou Ann out you miss out on just how dull life in that small town is and the decision she has to make - leave your highschool sweetheart (he's possibly dead but she spends no time finding out) or spend the next 20 years gradually becoming Rachel.

They're the two most rounded characters in the film, for me.

Great point. Lou Ann is regarded by her husband as a possession, not that she really challenges that notion (buy me stuff this weekend at the mall, ok????) but it would be a mistake for an audience to accept that on face value.

I think that the presence of the two female characters serves to broaden the theme from something strictly murder-related to something about how we treat each other... when we lie to each other... when we regard each other with no more consideration than those two hunters who kill the coyote and find Melquiades at the start of the film. It's not just redemption for murder that people need. We all need it for a variety of things. Melissa Leo has a fantastic moment when she realises what her lie to Pete meant to him. She says, "you know you're the only one I love"... tosses it off casually and dryly. We see that she's lying, but Pete is a pure soul. He doesn't see it until he proposes to her and she basically hangs up on him. That shot of Leo after, with her hand on her mouth is a huge moment.

Rachel's relationship with Lou Ann is also very detailed and layered, and shows a before and after of what 20+ years of boredom can do. It also shows the responsibility people can and do take for each other. Rachel's redemption is earned by not asking Lou Ann to stay. She raises the question of Mike's return, and it's likely because that sort of regret has affected her own marriage, but once that question is put to rest (Lou Ann says she doesn't care if Mike returns), Rachel lets her only friend go.

It's arguably a more important plot point in terms of Arriaga's message, given that we all make selfish choices and hurt other people, but we don't all kill someone. Though I wouldn't put it past Nebbit.

I had hoped to watch this today. But as the kids say, I got "hella" busy. Oh well. Maybe on Friday (maybe being the key word here).

I am so It hasn't been released here ok so i am over my tantrum Thanks for the great dicussion and insights into the movie

__________________
Health is the greatest gift, contentment the greatest wealth, faithfulness the best relationship.
Buddha

this is a really good movie....i highly recommend this

I finally got to see this movie for a second time.

To me the movie had Pete, Melquiades and Mike personifying three kinds of people at the border. There is Pete, who is an American, but accepts people for who they are.

There is Melquiades, a Mexican, who doesn't have much of a life in his old world, trying to create a life for himself in this "new world".

Then there is Mike, who is the ignorant American. Unhappy in his own life he finds a group that he thinks he is better than. As has so often the case in America, the older established group tries to keep down the newer, disenfranchised group (No Irish Need Apply, etc.).

It is up to Pete to show Mike, and other ignorant Americans, the errors of their ways.

__________________

"Those are my principles. If you don't like them I have others."- Groucho Marx