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Directed by: Susanne Bier

Cast: Halle Berry, Benicio Del Toro, David Duchovny, Alexis Llewellyn, Micah Berry, John Carroll Lynch, Alison Lohman

Runtime: 118 mins

There are times you wish there were no fires. This is one of those films that’s speaks of such fires. Sometimes we need to conjure up these fires of hope to let go of things we lost. Things We Lost is beautifully written film that speaks about loss and accepting the good. It is a byproduct of the 21 grams type cinema that I so love and cherish. I had seen Susanne Bier’s previous work After the Wedding. That film was a masterpiece but this one has its moments that will stay with you. The persons who bring those moments in the film are the main protagonists Halle Berry and Benicio Del Toro. Some might just side with the latter because he overpowers the whole screen with his unbelievable persona. But many critics have also failed to see how the kids react to the situations that they have been put in.

The film is about regaining ones self in the face of a grave tragedy. Most of the strength is derived from a heroin addict played by the may I say fluorescent Benicio Del Toro. He challenges every role he has taken thus far. How could the Oscars miss this role? I guess you can blame the early release of this movie for its mischance at the Oscars. Benicio who has rebellion written all over his eyes gives a searing portrayal of a Heroin addict making one of the biggest forces in the industry. But surely his performance couldn’t match up to the great Javier Bardem he could have been next in line. Why am I even arguing about his chances? It’s a similar sort of turmoil that these two character face that I faced while watching this film. I just didn’t have time to accept the film like how these people accepted their fates I was thinking of other things.

It took a lot of character building for Benicio to take up that suit that he wears for the funeral of his friend. One of Brian’s kids remarks that his suit is a bit big for him. This was very thoughtful of the script writer by giving us an idea of the emotional burden this man has just been put through. But the film talks about facing our fears and being bold at the time of any calamity because we just have one life let’s make it worth the trip. I am really thankful for this film to show me just that.