THREE BURIALS OF MELQUIADES ESTRADA

         Actor Tommy Lee Jones makes an auspicious feature directorial
debut with THE THREE BURIALS OF MELQUIADES ESTRADA, a
drama about honor and redemption. Written by Guillermo Arriaga,
whose previous collaborations have been with Alejandro González
Iñárritu were AMORES PERROS and 21 GRAMS. Like those films,
the screenwriter has taken several plot strands and interwoven
them and also not told the tale in a completely linear fashion.
Arriaga's scripts often shuffle time, so that the audience has to pay
close attention in order to understand and appreciate the plots.
It sometimes can become a bit tiresome, but if, as in this case,
the cast is exemplary, it's worth the effort.

         THREE BURIALS revolves around the unlikely frienship
between rancher Pete Perkins (Jones) and the illegal Mexican
immigrant Melquiades Estrada (Julio César Cedilla). Estrada is killed
in a case of mistaken identity by a trigger-happy border guard
named Mike Norton (Barry Pepper). To cover his crime, Norton
'       hastily buries the body in a shallow grave but it is dug up by
coyotes.

         While the rancher wants to find justice for his friend, the
local lawman (Dwight Yoakam) cannot be bothered with the matter,
particularly as it involves an illegal immigrant. Without informing
Pete, the sheriff has the body buried in the local cemetery.

         Thanks to a tip from Pete's erstwhile lover, local waitress
Rachel (Melissa Leo), he discovers the identity of the killer. Breaking
into Norton's home, he forces the border guard to accompany him.
They disinter Estrada's body and set off for Mexico to return the
deceased to his hometown.

         What the above fails to do is convey the rich way that
Jones as director communicates the material. The film constantly
takes detours and Arriaga's script doesn't succumb to the cliches
of the buddy movie or the Western. Instead, it presents a close
friendship built on respect and loyalty that is seen through to
the bitter end.

         Jones anchors the movie with a sterling performance as
the headstrong rancher bent on fulfilling his pal's last request.
Pepper as his unwitting captive who eventually finds redemption
is equally strong. There's also good supporting work from Melissa
Leo as the waitress, January Jones as Pepper's unhappy wife and
Levon Helm as an elderly blind man who offers a temporary respite
to Pete and Norton.



         Rating:              B
         MPAA Rating:      R for language, violence and sexuality
         Running time:     121 mins.

                         Viewed at the SONY Screening Room

The Three Burials of
Meliquiades Estrada