Review of Things We Lost in the Fire (2007) by Walter M — 23 Sep 2008

[font=Century Gothic]"Things We Lost in the Fire" is a heartfelt and very well-acted(getting a good performance out of David Duchovny is like getting champagne out of a turnip) but flawed movie about the grieving process from director Susanne Bier.

Unlike her earlier films("Open Hearts", "Brothers" and "After the Wedding"), this one lacks an edge and is more emotionally tidier in telling the story of the sudden death of Brian(David Duchovny), a successful real estate developer, and the effect this has on his widow Audrey(Halle Berry) who connects with Brian's childhood friend Jerry(Benicio Del Toro) who is now an addict.

What would have definitely worked is if it had kept the non-linear structure demonstrated in the first half hour, mingling memories with the present day to explore the relationships between the characters.

But instead, it gets the family dynamic wrong in both small and large ways, mostly for the convenience of the story. First it is hard to believe that Brian would go out to get ice cream alone, leaving his kids at home, since this is clearly a family treat and one they would enjoy together.

But he has to go alone or there is no movie.(Unless maybe he had errands to run?) No matter how much pain Audrey may be in or feeling the need to act in her husband's name, I cannot think of any mother who would bring as unpredictable or dangerous an element as a drug addict into her house with two small children when her main task is to protect them.

However, it is a very generous gesture.[/font].